END OF THE SESSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1926, Page 9

END OF THE SESSION.

EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES. THE PRIME MINISTER’S REVIEW. IMPORTANCE OF LAWS ENACTED, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Sept. 11. In the House of Representatives on Saturday, after Ministers Jiatl replied to questions, Mr. Speaker left the chair to await receipt of the Appropriation Bill from His Excellency the Governor-Gene eral. , Resuming al noon, Mr. Speaker announced that his Excellency the Gov-ernor-General had given the Royal assent to the Appropriation Bill. The Prime Minister reviewed the work of the session, laying special stress on the Family Allowance, Town Planning, Local Government Loans Board, Rural Advances, Bank of New Zealand Long Term Credits, and Scientific Research Bills, which were policy Bills calculated to confer lasting benefits on the Dominion. Ho paid a tribute to the .Speaker’s efficient and dignified control of tie business of the House. The criticism, of th# Leader of the Opposition had been fair, and although he did not agree with him, he realised that his position was a very difficult one, because he had often to find criticism where it was next to impossible to find it. The Leader of the National Party had often been helpful, and the friendly spirit of the members generally was very encouraging. He paid a special tribute to Sir Joseph Ward, whoso criticism had been extremely generous throughout the session, and whose long experience was highly valued by the House. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. Mr. Holland, replying, said he appreciated the position of first Labour Leader of the Opposition of New Zealand, It carried with it considerable responsibility, but they never held up legislation! unnecessarily. They only opposed th«| Government when the Government was wrong. NATIONAL PARTY’S GOOD WISHES, k Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, on behalf of the Leader of the National Party (Mr, Forbes), expressed appreciation of Wj<jj Speakers unfailing courtesy to members and felicitated the Prime Minister upon his departure for the Imperial Conference, to which he was going, not as the representative of a party, but a? the representative of New Zealand. The Speaker (Sir Charles Statham)! and the Chairman of Committees (Mr, F. F. Hockly) made feeling replies to the encomiums passed upon them. Mir. R. P. Hudson (Motueka) and the Leader of the Opposition wished thsi Prime Minister and Mrs. Coates a pleasant voyage to England. Sir Joseph Ward said be was confident that the Prime Minister would represent the Dominion ably and well at the Imperial Conference. He was one of the younger generation serving the Empire in a very exalted position and was admirably equipped for that) high purpose. The Prime Minister suitably replied on behalf of himself and Mrs. Coatee, and at 1 p.m., he moved that the House! adjourn. This motion was humorously contest* ed by a division, and the first session of the 22nd Parliament came to an end at 1.5 p.m. with the singing of the National Anthem. The schedule of business transacted in the House of Representatives during ths Session just closed shows that publio Bills which received Royal assent numbered 94, Bills dropped or otherwise disposed of 18. Petitions presented 287, Divisions in the House 9, in committed

27. The House sat on 57 days, the sittings occupying 422 hours 30 minutes, with a daily average of 7 hours 20 minutes.