FINAL SPEECHES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22509, 17 September 1938, Page 25

FINAL SPEECHES

Friendly Tributes Of Leaders

AWAITING THE

POLL

"Our; Masters, The

Electors"

tFron: Our Parliamentary Reporter.*

WELLINGTON, September 16. After the usual valedictory speeches a:id the .-inging cf the National Anthem the tinal session of the present Parliament came to an end in the House of Representatives to-day at 5.52 p.m. Before the adjournment the usual mcc-k division was held on the motion to adjourn. Community singing was held, in which the visitors in the public galleries participated, and this passed the time while ths House was awaiting the receipt of the Royal Assent to the Appropriation Bill. After a late sitting on Thursday night the House met at 11.30 a.m. today. The presentation of final reports from select committees and the making of Ministerial statements about the date of tha General Election and the guaranteed price occupied the House until the "ringing of the bells." The House assembled again at 4.30 p.m. to receive tne report of the Legislative Council on me final batch of legislation it had passed. This occupied a few minutes and another adjournment of about half an hour was taken while the House awaited the re-c-ipt of the Royal Assent to the Appropriation Bill. Appreciation of the services of those who had made the work of the Government possible was expressed by the Prime Minister (the Hi Hon. M. J. Savage). Strenuous Session "This is' not only the end of the session but the end of a Parliament." &<ud Mr Savage, "and the time is not far distant when we will have to meet our masters —the electors. The session has been fairly strenuous from time to time. Some of the legislation has teen of a far-reaching character, but it is. I think, in the interests of the people. I hope it will not only remain on the Statute Book, but that in the days to come it will be improved by future parliaments. We cannot claim to have reached perfection, but we can claim to have made considerable pro* gress. We are living in a changing world, and have to .try to reflect those ; changes -in legislation." air Savage extended to Mr Speaker i the Hon. W. E. Barnard) the thanks of the HQU*e for the able manner in which he- J*ad presided over the deliberations of the Parliament. A tribute was also paid by Mr Savage to the Chairman of Committees (Mr EJ. Howard). "Within a few days we will be m the throes of an election campaign, but that does not stop us from extending our thanks to the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon, Adam Hamilton) aud his colleagues," said Mr Savage, '"it would be.a dull world if we were i«ya,of the same opinion, and-althougd •ve have had our differences in this Parliament we are parting as friends. Even if some of iis fall; by the wayside in the battle to ' come we will be lriends just the same." Praise of Tress Gallery

Mr Savage alsoexpressed bis loanks to the Clerk of the House ; (Mr T. i). H. HaliJ and the staff of Parhamcnt, other workers, and the mem* bers of the parliamentary press gal' lery. - "What aver complaints we have about the newspapers, ;we have none about \hs gentlemen in the press gallery,' said Mr Savage: *They do their work well, and I feel that I am speaking for every member of Parliament when I say the members of the press' gallery deserve our very best thanks. I meet them" in. my office and feel under an obligation for what they have done for me."

The Democratic Principle

-I agree with the Prime Minister that we are shortly going back to face our masters," said the Leader of the QP* position, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, in acknowledging Mr Savage's references, "We believe that democracy is the best form 1 of government. It has served us well, and it is our duty to see" that it is preserved. Democracy is losing itself in many countries in the world to-day,, but we want to make sure that it will continue in New Zealand." Mr Hamilton also thanked Mr Speaker and the Chairman .of Committees.

"I also wish to express my appreciation, to my colleagues," Mr Hamilton added. "We are outnumbered by the Government by about three to one, but although we have a small band—one that will soon be larger—we have tried to keep the Government on the right lines. We have perhaps succeeded in some measure. The party system has its difficulties, but with an effective Opposition it is not a bad system for a democratic country. ?

"I have visited parliaments in a good many of the British countries," said Mr Howard, in acknowledging the expressions of thanks of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, "and I have no doubt that there is not a better assembly any? where in the Empire from the point of obedience to the chair." Mr Barnard also replied.

NATIONAL CANDIDATE FOR

LYTTELTON

Mr I. j. Wilson, National candidate ior the Lyttelton seat, held a meeting at Kinloch yesterday afternoon. A rePort issued by the branch secretary of we party said that every house in the district was represented. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was passed to the candidate. Mr N. K. McFarlane presided.

CHRISTCHURCH EAST ELECTORATE

Mr Ken Armour, National candidate wr Chrisichurch East, will address a Js°eting of friends and supporters at the St. Martins Public Library, Wil«ons road south, at 7.45 this evening. Mr Armour is desirous of meeting as many electors as possible, and extends a special invitation to women.

ADDRESS BY MR T. H

LANGFOBD

S —— .Friends and supporters of Mr T- H- , SSJotford met at Lower Ricearton on *nursday evening, the Town JJaU [ *»« ailed. Mr Langford spoke f SLii e improvement of business genJJwly under the regime of the Labour government', quoting from the balance;"eets c f nine different businesses woughcut New Zealand. A large ?«r of persons remained to offer .«H"tance to Mr Langford in the con-Ur-ii of his election campaign, which mJv& oe opened on Monday evening.