BOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 53, 26 November 1907, Page 7

BOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE LAST DAY. • When the House met at 11 o'clock yestorday morning it was expected half an hour would.see the business completed. Thirty-seven-members tofik their places in that expectation. A fow papers and returns were laid on ■ the. tablo, and the Premier then announced that.'the-Legislative Council were still discussing the measures which the House had finally to deal with, and he suggested an adjournment for a little while. Being in a frivolous mood the Houso indulged in a little amusement. Mr. Rutherford was elected chairman, and Mr. Ell was called upon to defend his Barmaid Abolition Bill, but dropped it when tho Premier moved that tho height of barmaids be reduced from 6ft. 2in. to oft. Sin. 'After'half an hour tho Premier announced that' the Legislative Council had adjourned, and lie moved the adjournment of the House till 3 o'clock. \ ) At 3 o'clock a further adjournment was made until 4.40 o'clock, and then after one or two- small matters had been dealt with a further postponement still took place until 5.10 o'clock. Tho speaker then announced that the Appropriation Bill had yet to receive tho Governor's signature, and he would leave the chair again for a brief period. (Laughter). . Resuming for the last timo at 5.30 o'clock,' the Speaker announced that tho Royal assent to the last batch of Bills had been obtained. Ho thon read a list of the Bills. LAST Y/ORDS. ! The Premier, on behalf of his colleagues and himself, thanked tho mombers for tho courtesy shown towards them throughout the session. There had not been a dozen words said by any member tlmt could bo taken oxcoption to. There had been none but kindly ieelings between tho members of the Opposition and the Ministers, and there -was the best of feeling among members all round the House. The officers of tho House had helped him during the session in every way possible. He wished to express his recognition of the good work done by the Law Drafting Department, particularly Mr. Salmond" and Mr. Jolilfc. Tho Hon. Speaker had discharged his duties impartially, and had upheld the dignity and prestige of the House. He hoped that for all of them the rcccss would bo happy and pleasant, and that health and prosperity would attend tbom. Mr. Herrics, in tho abscnco of his chief, endorsed what had been said in regard to the Speaker. They wished him a pleasant rcccss, and that next year ho would come back with new vigour to control their destinies in Parliament. To the Premier they had to tender, on their side of the Houso, their thanks for the universal courtesy extended to (hem. In this Parliament they were free from those scenes which they were sorry to say had occurred in other parliaments. Although in opposition to the Government, his f'ide ol tlie Houso were trying equally hard to bring the Dominion to that goal which every right-minded citizcn would seek to attain. (Hear, hoar.) Though they differed in opinion, they all had tho one' object in view, and that wan that i.lioir country should attain to the very highest position. Sir William Stewart, on behalf of the rank and' file, expressed gratification and appreciation at tho manner in which tho business of tho Houso had been conducted by. tho Premier. The Premier also complimented the Chairman of Committees. (Applause,)

The Speaker (Hon. A. ,R. Guinness), said he wished sincerely to thank the Leader of the House and Mr. Herries for their very kind romarks in regard to himself. ' Tho Chairman ftlr. R. M'Kenzie) also acknowledged tho compliment's that had been paid to him. The Last Division. Tho motion that "this House do now adjourn " was then piit by the Speaker. A chorus of "Noes" followed. A formal division was called; members walked into the respective lobbies for the last time this session, and on tho lists being handed in, flio Speaker declared tho adjournment carried by 19 to 16. (Applause.) Mombers then dispersed, and presently thoro was wafted from tho direction of Bellamy's tho tuneful, chorus of "Auld Lang Sync."