THE SESSION ENDS

Southland Times, Issue 19394, 7 November 1924, Page 6

THE SESSION ENDS

THE CLOSING SCENES SCHEDULE OF BUSINESS TRANSACTED ./(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 6. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, a message was received from the Legislative Council to the effect that they had passed the Appropriation Bill. The Speaker then proceeded to Government House to procure His Excellency’s signature to the measure. Returning at 4.30 p.m. the Speaker announced that His Excellency had been pleased to accord the Royal assent to the measure. Mr Massey delivered a valedictory speech in which he paid compliments to the Speaker, Chairman of Committees and other officers who, by hard work and capable service, contributed to the work of the session during which 97 Bills had been passed. This, he thought, constituted a record. He wished members on all sides of the Houses a pleasant recess. Mr T. M. Wilford and Mr H. E. Holland seconded the remarks of the Prime Minister and, on behalf of what he called the “dominant party,” Mr George Witty expressed the felicitations of the Independents. The Speaker and Mr J. A. Young made a suitable response. Mr Massey then moved that “the House do now adjourn.” This was challenged and on a division the adjournment was agreed to by 23 votes to 21. Thus the third session of the twenty-first Parliament came to an end at 5.35 with the singing of the National Anthem. The schedule of business done by Parliament during the session shows: Public Bills received Royal assent 90; reserved for the signification of his Majesty’s pleasure 1; dropped or otherwise disposed of 39; private Bills received Royal assent 6; petitions presented from Europeans 316, from Maoris 107; divisions in the whole House 31, in Committee 46; days of meeting 83, Hours of sitting before midnight 564 hours 2 minutes, hours of sitting after midnight 63 hours 43 minutes making a total of 627 hours 45 minutes or a daily average of 7 hours 48 minutes.