THE FINAL SESSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22713, 28 October 1935, Page 10

THE FINAL SESSION

A LAST WEEK RUSH NO OUTSTANDING LEGISLATION (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 26. The final session of the twenty-fourth Parliament of New Zealand came to an end to-day. It was not a session marked by any legislation of an outstanding character, but it was a noticeable fact that what were probably the most important measures were introduced in the final stages and were rushed through the House without being given the consideration they deserved. Sixty-five measures were enacted during the session and of these 55 were passed in the last week, being put through at almost ludicrous speed and with hardly a word of discussion. Bills which in the earlier stages of the session would have evoked a great deal of argument were allowed to proceed during the last few days almost without a word being offered either for or against. A contributing cause was undoubtedly the absence from the House of several members who make a point of speaking at length on almost every subject that comes under consideration. The latest sitting of the session occurred last night when the House completed its legislative programme by sitting until well after 2 a.m. All that remained was the formal business of receiving the final Bills from the Legislative Council and the assent of the Gov-ernor-General. Members were called to the Chamber shortly before noon when the Council reported that it had passed the final Bills. The House then adjourned again to enable Mr Speaker to wait upon the Governor-General and receive the Royal Assent. Valedictory speeches were then made, and after these the House took the traditional mock division and sang the National Anthem before Mr Speaker adjourned the House and left the Chair at 1.55 p.m.