CLOSING STAGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23145, 17 September 1938, Page 18

CLOSING STAGES

NO ACTUAL BUSINESS IMPORTANT STATEMENTS VALEDICTORY SPEECHES BROADCASTING OF DEBATES [by TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL nKPORTKB] WELLINGTON, FriiJny After the usual- valedictory speeches and the singing of tho National Anthem and "Auld Lang Syne," the House of Representatives took its final adjournment before tho election at 5.50 o'clock this evening. Although no actual business of importance was transacted, the sitting was notable for pronouncements by tho Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, concerning this season s guaranteed prices, and by the Primo Minister, Mr. Savage, regarding tho arrangements for the general election, which is to be hold on October 10. Final Reports Presented Following on a late sitting last night, the House met at 11.<.50 o clocic this morning and somo time was spent in tho presentation of final reports from select committees. After the two Ministerial statements had been made the House adjourned at 12.45 o'clock and met again at 4.20 o'clock to receive from the Legislative Council messages denoting the passage through the Upper House of the remaining bills of the session. A further adjournment was taken while these bills received the Royal assent, ami during the interval tho customary mock'parliament was held, with members on both sides of the Houso exhibiting tho best of spirits. Exchange of Compliments When tho motion for tho adjournment was taken tho Primo Ministor, Mr. Savage, expressed appreciation of: the services of all those who had assisted tho Government in tho work or the session. The session had been fairly strenuous from time to time, the Primo Minister said, and some of tho legislation had been of a far-reaching nature. Ho hoped it would not only remain on the Statute Book, but also that in days to come it would be improved and extended by future Parliaments. Mr. Savage extended the thanks of the Government to tho Speaker, tho Hon. W. E. Barnard, to the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, and bis colleagues, to all tho officials of the House, and to members of the press gallery. Thanks were also returned by iNIr. Hamilton, who said lie particularly wished to express his appreciation of the work of 11 is colleagues. 1 hey wore a small band, but as an Opposition they had endeavoured to keep the Government on tho right lines. Radio and Standing Orders Tributes to their services in presiding over the deliberations of the House were acknowledged by tho Chairman of i Committees, Mr. K. J. Howard, and by tho Speaker. The latter referred to difficulties which had arisen from the broadcasting of Parliamentary debates. The Standing Orders of the Houso went back to 1929, lie said, and at that time there was no broadcasting. In the.circumstances it was probably desirable that tho Standing Orders should be reviewed in the light of experience recently gained. ! "The sensitivity of tho microphone j is almost a defect," Mr. Barnard said, j "Parliament has always been a place of argument and strain, and those who ! listen to the broadcast debates may | possibly form opinions of the House I which are not in the least warranted, j Broadcasting adds greatly to the ro- [ spon%ibilitv of members." i 'Plie final mock division was held, ! and members from both sides of the I House exchanged individual farewells.