END OF THE SESSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1788, 6 November 1919, Page 7

END OF THE SESSION.

THE CLOSING SCENES. [From Onr Own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, November 5. The House of Representatives finished the session in quite a businesslike manner this evening. For fully a week past, hon. members have been quietly slipping away to begin the light in their respective constituencies, and it was a very thin House which faced Mr Speaker for the final sitting. After the last of the formal business had been disposed of, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) [opened the "break-up" ceremony. They had come, he said, to the end of one of the most remarkable sessions in the history of New Zealand. It had been a short session, but a strenuous session, of hard work, I long hours, and close attention to business; and it had been a historic session, too, inasmuch as they had passed important legislation dealing with their interests in Nauru and Samoa. But the longest Parliament in the history of New Zealand had, at last, come to a close. Whatever their politics or political ideas, tlfey parted as friends, and as friends they would meet—such of them as did meet—in the Chamber again. Then the Prime Minister went on to express regret that some hon. members were retiring from political life, and to add that others, of course, would not come back. That was all ways so.

After the usual complimentary references to Mr Speaker, the Chairman of Committees (Mr A. S. Malcolm) and the officers of the House, the Prime Minister gave way to the Rf. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward (Leader of the Opposition), who, personally, hoped that everyone would be back next session, but as a party leader, hoped that all would not be back, and that when they met again he would be sitting on the opposite side of* Mr Speaker's chair.

"No parly politics!" warned the Prime Minister, smiling, and his excolleague stepped back on to safer ground. Mr H. E. Holland (Grey) as Leader of the Labour Party, followed, and quite forgot to slate the Government. Finally came Mr John Payne (Grey Lynn) apparently Leader of the John Payne Party, with a last word of farewell to his comrades of eight years' standing and to Mr Speaker, who has had so often to call him to order. "I move that this House do now adjourn," said the Prime Minister. "When do we meet again?" queried Sir Joseph Ward. "In the sweet by and by," suggested an hon. member from the Reform side.

"We shall adjourn until this day week," said Mr Massey. stating the usual formal period, as they do every year. Hon. members called for a division on the motion to adjourn, but the enthusiasts in opposition could only muster eight, while the supporters of the adjournment, which included the leading members of both principal parties, numbered 18. At six minutes to 11 o'clock p.m., Mr Speaker stepped down from the Chair, and the sixth and final session of New Zealand's "Long Parliament" was over. A chorister from the front Opposition benches struck up the National Anthem, and the House and Galleries stood. Then the Chamber emptied. One or two "hon. members paused at the door and looked back fondly, then turned on their heels and passed out. The future holds their fate.