END OF THE SESSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1163, 2 November 1917, Page 6

END OF THE SESSION.

■ I RESUME OF JrVORK DONE. THE LIQUOR QUESTION. TO BE REVIEWED NEXT TERM. {From Oar Own Parliamentary Reporter.] j WELLINGTON, November 1. The Speaker returned to the House; at 11.40 and reported that the Gover-nor-General had been pleased to. sign the Appropriation Bill. A schedule of the business done: during the session shows that 451 public Bills were passed, and 3ti had; been dropped. One private Bill only was passed. The House sat on i eighty days, a total of 511 hours,: with "an average of 6 hours 21 rains per day. Sir James Allen announced that I the casualties from October 4 up to! October 30 were: Officers killed 89,1 wounded 159, other ranks, killed 871, | wounded 2893. He regretted to say; that since coming into the House; he had received word that there! were 1300 new casualties in addi-j tion to the above. ! Mr Massey said that when G o'clock closing was before the House,' he and the Minister of Finance (Sir Joseph Ward) had stated that something must be done to put the liquor question on a more satisfactory basis, and this had given rise to misunderstandings in certain quarters. He desired to; sav- that Cabinet had not been able: to give this matter due consideration, but during the recess it would; be the duty of Cabinet to consider! measures for submission to the j House next session, on the lines sug-l gestcrt by the Efficiency Board. That was either continuance, or prohibi-! tion with compensation, and this! issue woidd be decided on the bare; rraioritv, bnt that would not apply] to local option, now decided by the; people. Sir Joseph Ward explained that any action he had taken on the i liquor question this session, had i been dictated by bis position as Min- j istcr of Finance, in which position j lie could not afford to sacrifice anyj revenue. Members then indulged in the | usual valedictory speeches, after which a division was called on the] question that the House adjourn. The House rose at 12.30, and the; third session of the nineteenth Parliament came to an end by members singing the XnfSonnl Anthem.