THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 536, 17 June 1909, Page 4

THE HOUSE.

FINANCE BILL PASSED,

THE FINAL ACT. The House mot: at .10.30 yesterday. . Tho Wairoa Harbour Board Empowering anij Gisborne High School Act, 1835, -Amehdmont Bill, introduced by the Hon. J. ivero read a first time. Tjio PRIME MINISTER, in answor to Mr: Massoy, stated that. answers.' to questions would bo'given the-first thing neixt session. OLD ACE PENSIONERS' VALUATIONS. Mr. T. E. TAYLOR said, that/bn© question ofi.which he had-give® notice.was of' very . urgent'lt referred to tho practice _of':;disconntjng old ago pensioners in.pro-port-ion- to improvements made in tho pensioners' . homes?-' BS urged 'tihat something should bo;;dono 'ait"once" to stop that practice. •• ■ Tho PRIME MINISTER said tihat this was a the. alteration asked for :woiild involve a largo increase of expenditure. The matter sould not be disposed of by aji-answeiybo ft question..' • . • . Mr. IIAiBEY eajd that some pen sionors lost their pensions owing to tho.excessivo valua-. :tifliis?of.'.tlier.improvements made to their homes. .' N•"

_ The Prime Minister, said that he would go into tho whole matter with a vioW to seeing what, could bo done. The Government could not bo I)l,iii;c<l for the increase of valuations, which was a natural evolution: Tho only way in. which the alteration proposed could bo brought about would be by excluding tho property ,of old age pensioners from local valuations:'- Whatever was, done''-tho Government would-.require a quid pro quo to make up for 'tho'oxpense oataiiod. ..:■

• f; ;• OLD SOLDiERS' CLAIMS. Mr.. MASSEY asked if tho. Prinio Minister had Jet dono anything ,to carry out his promise that a commission.Should bo set up to inquire into tho-claims of old soldiers. Tho-.PRIME MINISTER replied that he did notjs4y he .would set up a commission, but only that tlio matter would be investigated. Tho l Government had been inquiring into tie subject, and; he thought that the wholo mat-, .tor.should bo reviewed in a special Act: These claims appeared to bo of endjess recurrence, and- ho suggested- that, a .responsible body ■ should be to ; sottlo claims for ail time as a Court of' Justice would settle them. Such a body would investigate the claims, and n|ake,yrecommendations to tho Government. " ; THE FINANCE BILL. 'r., ... ..V,".", .1 _ , ' SPEECH BY MR. MASSEY. On ttlio motion that tho Finance Bill bo road a th.iijl .tfiroo, . ■ - . . Mr.; MASSEY said that t'ho Prime Minister ■ had. expressed tho usual, opinion l that the 'criticisms'of; the' 'Government's proceedings .wore injuring, and were intended to injure tho, : country's credit. Ho denied that statement- absolutely. If the credit of tho coun■tr.VMvas beingv .injured, which ho', hoped was not- tho case, it was not duo to any criticism country, but to the actions of the' • I nmo Minister -and; his colleagues,, and the :unfortunate; position into which tho public service .had boon allowed to drift. ' "The Dominion's" Criticisms. bad:referred to what 'no-was..ple!isttdi. : t'd; call the Opposition organ in - Wellington. Most members would agrco with him that tho financial articles in that paper had , been moderate in tone, and/ tho paper as a whole had reached a-high-standard ■'of journalism; Ho Was sorry that he could not say tho same for mally of the papers'that supported, tho Government. If tho Prime Minister was so aunoyed by tho financial criticism in the New Zealand press, he would advise him not ■to read .tho criticisms in tho Sydney "Bulletin," tile Edinburgh: "News," and the "Investors Review. ■' If he was annoyed by tho articles in'tho-: New Zealand papers lie would tako ft fit when ho read tile article:! in thoso other papers. Mr, Masscy read a Press Association telegram published on Tuesday in support of his. contention that. oven now money- was; being gradually withdrawn from .tho Dominion. It was absolutely impos'siblo that the Government: should borrow ■■sufficient money to replaco, tho capital that was being withdrawn. Any attempt to increase' tho public' indebtedness in tlio way that had been suggested by- soveral members, and apparently indicated by the Prime Minister hiipaelf, Would injure the Do.million's, credit and result in such financial dianster as ; this country had never yet ex.Referring to tho proposed clause of sMr. ,Herdman, to repeal Section 41 of thoH'ublic Rovenuea Act, 1908, which gives the Ministry power, whero have been made, of transferring moneys of ■any one vote in a particular olass-to'any other vote in the sanw class, Mr. Massey said that tlio section objected to took away tlio wholo control of expenditure from tho representatives Of tho peoplo, and placed it .in"tho hands ,of; Ministers for thotimo being. No righUliinking than could bolievo that that was a proper tiling. Since tho last division om this proposal somo years ago. several members;; seemed to havo changed their minds. Mr. Eil very strongly-op-posed to tho proposal when it Was last before the Houso. Tlio Hon.- T. Mackenzie and tho Minister for Education had also apparently changed their views since taking . Ministerial office.

Tho Pollca Charges. ;_As regards tiio ; police force,' thero was an unteiise feeling of dissatisfaction on tho part of tho men throughout the force, especially tho older moil, Who fomfd themselves passed over for promotion and other men placed above .thorn wild wore not entitled to their new positions/. They, recognised that this I was going oh through political influence. I'lia men who had: spoken to liinj'felt, that tlioy had been unjustlyitreated. There,was somo* tiling seriously wfcrng with the administration of tho Department, and ho hoped that the Minister in charge would look into, the matter, and thatija commission would be set up if necessary. VSMr. Arnold had offored to prove everything ;he had said up to" tho hilt 'before a commission if ho was given tho opportunity, _ ] _ . Mr. Arnold: And more.

Mr. Massey,;'fi«ked if tlie/increasod naval subsidy wlncfijundarthe Act, was' duo Inst month v bad- been>;paid. Ho contrasted the loss oil-tho Govcfrimont'fl railways with tlio position', of,-;;tho 3lannwatu lino, whicli tlio Government had refused to build, andwbieh waa paying 7 per cent, ou capital wlion it''was taken over by tho State. That was after tlio company had replaced tho whole of tho rolling stock out of revenue and paid rates .andtaxes. He suggested that tho Prime Minister should engage ah export from ■outside the Dominion to report on the Go[■wmnnent Bjstcm..of railways and -paint «o±

where improvements might bo made. He did not ilgree tlio Minister that to make tho, railways pay they should tako off somo of tho present trains which were making business every day and assisting sottloment.

Effect of the Mortgage Tax. It was as clear as noonday that tho operations of the mortgage tax resulted in money boing directed into other channels than -nvostmcnt in land. Duriii" tho course of his speech at Invorcargill, tlio Primo Minister had said that if the mortgage tax woro removed, it would moan the abolition of tho land tax on land worth seventy-two millions. What he (Mr. Massey) said was that if Parliament abolished tho mortgage tax it would liot affect tho land tax to the extent of a single farthing. (Hear, hear.) It was a strong statement to make, but ho believed it to bo a fact. He challenged tho Prime Minister to refer tho point to tho Public Accounts Committee. Ho wished to tell members of a matter that had come under his notice. A property had been sold in Scotland, and the proceeds were to be invested for tho benefit of tho boneficiaries It was tho law there that tho proposed investments in such a case had to bo approved by tho Courts. Among other securities in which it had been decidcd to invest moneys were certain Now Zealand stocks. When tie recorder came to look over the list,, h© re- ; fused to allow any moneys to bo invested in' Now Zealand securities. Ho wished to impress- on tho Primo' Minister the need for taking steps to restore tho confidence of investors in this country. With regard to tho valuations, lie wished to 1 say that in spite of the fact that country property was not worth so much as a few years ago, values woro being rushed up all over tho Dominion. Objectors in ono part of tho country withdrew their, appeals as a protest because the Magistrate said the assessors were against them. What was wanted was an equitable' system of valuations. He insisted that country properties • should bo valued on their producing value. ' . .

;iV!R. POOLE ON THE POLICE FORCE. I Mr. POOLE (Auckland West) said he would support tho passage of the Bill to enable the Premier to get away to tho Old I Country. Speaking of tho police force, he thought thafc ifc would bear a good deal of reform as far as tho cities were concerned. A good deal of the trouble was due, he asserted, to the liquor traffic. He could have brought cases before the Houso which would have produced a sensation, but ho had not dono so. He hoped that before long the undesirables would bo-weeded out of tho. service, and only reputable men left in. Ho hoped that an opportunity would be given to voto on tho bare majority question, which would give them a stronger weapon" against the liquor traffic, that had compromised the police force jn this country,

OTHER SPEECHES. Sir. BUICK (Palmerston) said that the Conservatives were the people who were in power—and were satisfied that things should romain as they were. Ho congratulated Mr. Fisher (the member for Wellington Central), upon haying gono to tho assistance of the Reform party.

Mr. WRIGHT (Wellington South) thought the position was that New Zealand could not get along without borrowing. The total indebtedness of the people of this country— public and privato—-was not less than 150 millions. -He hoped that as soon as possible a tapering-olf policy would be adopted. • . Mr. E. H. TAYLOR (Thames) wanted to know 'why hon. members opposite did not agree that labourers should get a .larger snare of .tho profits which accrued as a result of their • efforts.. - . Mr.' AUon: Who is the.labourer? . ■ Mr. Taylor said he hoped to live to see tho day when all monetary institutions which lent money without labour should be under the control of tho State. Hon; members (lid not remember that the present Government had never, pronounced against tho freehold. Mr. Frasor: Oh, read tho Act. THE PRIME MINISTER REPLIES. FINANCIAL POLICY DEFENDED. Sir Joseph WARD (in reply) said that ho wished to explain tho position as -regards tho reserve securitios worth £800,000 invested at Homo.' By. financial authorities tho investment in question was considered to bo a" fino thing for New Zealand. What was the position of thoso securities? - Seeing that they woro Imperially guaranteeed they were ih the position of gilt-edged securities. Objection had been raised becauso portion of the amount (which had been taken from tho Savings Bank) was invested in Egyptian bonds. Well, members must know, that that security was as good if not bettor than, British Consols; from the ' point of view of value, lodgment, etc.,' it was' better. He' might add that tho stock in question was unpledged; that there was nothing whatsoever against it. If New Zealand wanted to borrow two or three 'millions at short notice, what would help them to got. it? —why, tho fact ■ that tlicy had such a largo, amount reserved in that way. They had heard something from tho Wairarapa district about money that was going to be taken ont of the Dominion. Ho would adviso tho member for the district to eduoato the people thcro as to their duty to tho country.

Early : Proph9ts. ' It was curious that, in 1891, Sir John Hall and others had stated that capital .was leaving the country, and. predicted financial disaster as a result' of tho Government's policy.If prophecies made 19 years ago wore only now beginning to bo realised, according to tho prophets' point of view, that was not much lor them to congratulate themselves Upon. - Mr. . Buchanan : You aro misrepresenting me.

Tho Prime Minister said he did not wish to do that. The story that diro. misfortunes would result from tho Liberal Administration had been familiar for many years,'and yet, in a period of. World-wide financial tightness, there had been tho largest amount of money acquired in-any year in our history, due to tho acquisition of a railway and the necessity for developing public works, and .the whole of that monoy had - been obtained without' a hitch, loajis being also renewed at the ; previous rate of interest. There had been no motion in the House to do away With the State coal mines, or to repeal tho Advances to Settlors, Advances to Workers, and other Acts.

Egyptian Bonds. ' . Tho, Egyptian bonds to which excoption had been taken had been purchased to tho amount of £59,000, and what was their security! 1 Mr. Masscy: 'Nobody, disputed tho security. _ The Prime Minister replied that they were jointly and severally guaranteed by Great Britain, Germany, Austria, France, and other European Powers. With regard to the 111yestmtat of £800,000 of Post Office funds in these gilt-edged securities, ho urged that no Department was more concerned in liav-rng-a strong financial position than the Post jOllice. It was not only, a good and a wiso ;thiug that those'funds should bo so invested, jbut it was a prudent' thing to invest this -amount of Post : , Oltico accumulations, for 'which there, was no ill vestment in this country, in tho way'; referred to. The Govern.mont. did' not require the money at that 'timo, and tho requirements of local bodies >ero only about £187,000. There had been a profit of £68,000 on theso transactions. The Egyptian bonds matured next year, so that tho referenco to 50 years was absolutely wrong. The face value of tho bonds at tho present time was £868,264, and the Government had paid for them only £800,000.

The Dairy Regulations. ' ' Ho eorilplained that a system of misrepresentation was directed against the Government. In this connection, he might refer to tho dairy regulations. Some members of tile House had rend to tho farmers all alleged copy of regulations that did not exist. . Mr. Massoy: What momboi's? Tho Prjmo Minister: I'm not going to givo away any lion, member.' In reply to Vrotosts from the Opposition,, lie said that ho saw sitting near the Leader of the Opposition two members who said that tlioy had mado uso of the alleged regulations, Mr. Massey; That is a very serious chargo to make.; Tlio Primo Minister: I know what I am speaking of. Mr. Massey: You ought to givo thf names.

The Prime Minister said that some members had gono round saying that the Government were going to levy 10s. a head on tho cows of farmers. Some of them said £1.

Public Revenues Act. In view of misrepresentation of that kind, was it not dosirablo that ho should give tho history of tho Public Revenues Act? Tho Opposition had been trying to niakc out that tho Liberal Government was responsible for tho clause which gave authority to transfer monoy from one voto to another in the samo class. The clause, however, dated back for 40 years. It first appeared as Section 30 of the Public Revenues Act, 1867. Tho Prime Minister read this section, which stated that any unexpended surplus could bo transferred. 1

Opposition members: Surplus! Ah, yes! The Prime Minister oontinucd that Section 37 of the Public Revenues Act, 1878, was to tho samo effect, but shorter. That 'section, was repealed by Section 49 of tho Public Revenues Act, 1891, and it was altered by Section 4 of tlie Act of 1900, which had, however, practically the samo effect. Opposition members: Oh, no! • The Prime Minister stated that tho new section was wider in its provision for transfers. It was repealed by Scction 41 of tho Consolidated Act. The reference to surplus was dropped because it was pointed out by the Audit Department that as the surplus of a vote could not be. ascertained till the end of the year no transfer oould. bo made until the end of the year, and this made the section practically inoperative. There had been no abuse or attempt to abuse the powors which tho scction gave. The Prime Minister quoted particulars of the votes- transferred in rccent years, aiid stated that m fivo years it had only been necesßary to make uso of tho section twice.

Why Money Departs. With regard to money going out of tho country, lie had received a letter that day from a leading man conucctcd with money matters in Wellington, who stated that ■ it was a fallacy to say that tho mortgage tax had sent money'out of the country, though it might have been an element in so doing, 'l'ho real trouble was that private institutions had to competo with Government Departments, and it was suggested that the Departments should raiso tlio rates of interest. (No.). The Prime Minister. The lion, members cau't deny that that has been said. Mr. Masscy: Well, we do deny it. Tho Prime Minister: It was stated by the member for New Plymouth. Mr. Massoy: He said nothing of the kind.

I Tho Real Propliccy. Mr. Buchanan (Wairarapa) said that ho had been misrepresented, by tie Prime Minister in regard to prophecies made nineteen" years ago. What ho did say was that t'lio Opposition in recent years had condemned tho multiplication' of Departments and the ext.ravaga.nce of the Government, and that Choir predictions woro now fulfilled, as was .shown by the compulsion on the Government to reduce expenditure by a quarter of a million, thus giving effcot to what tiho Opposition bad repeatedly called for, and tho Government refused to do in the past. • The Prime Minister quoted the Hansard report of a speech made, by Mr. Buchanan in ! 1801 in which ho said that tho proposals of tho Government would reduce wages, cause great distress, and further depopulate tho country. Ho asked if any of those results had come about.

Mr. Buchanan: I'm sorry for tho lion, gentleman. Tho Prime Minister: Well, I sympathise 'with tho hon. gentleman in his sorrow. Raising the Rate of Interest. Mr. Massey denied absolutely that the Opposition woro in favour of tho lending Departments increasing the rato of interest. None of them suggested it or desired it, and they wero not in favour of it individually or as a party. , The Prime Minister: A member of his party during this debate said so,.'. Tho mombor for New Plymouth said he was in favour of raising tho nato of interest } per cent., and during tho debate it was said moro than onco that the rates of the Departments were tho cause of tho loan companies withdrawing from tho country.

Mr. Massoy: You said so. . . • The Prime Minister: It was said by some lion, members of tho Opposition. You will find I am not misrepresenting anybody. '..Mr. Massoy: Yes, yon are, doliborately .V. . _ The Prime Minister ■ again quotfed tho letter he had received, and Mr. Massoy asked who was the writer. Tho Prime Minister: He's a gentleman not on my side of the House, aid I don't want to give his name away. Mr. Buchanan: 1 did not say ono word in favour of raising tho rate of interest. Mr. Okey (New Plymouth) said ho had merely suggested that it would bo better for tho farmers to pay i per cent, more for their money to tho Department than- not to bo able to money at, all. . The Fuianco Bill was tlieji read a third time.' '

COMPULSORY TRAINING. MOTION BY MR. MASSEY. , Mr. MASSEY brought up tho question of compulsory training. Ho moved: "That this Houso, being satisfied that tho existing volunteer system .has proved inadequate for the defenco of tho Dominion, is of opinion that it should bo replaced by. universal. training- for dofence purposes.". Mr. Massoy . said that, tho volunteer system, according to tho authorities, had faila miserably ana completely, and the only alternative • was a system of universal training. Ho would not go into details of- the system thon; that could be dono by the proper authorities; ho merely wanted to affirm the principle. Ho. thought it would be a good thing if tho Primo Minister could tell the Imperial Conference, and tho Home Government, that New Zealand was propared, not only to contribute her share to the Navy, but also to assist tho ■ Empiro by getting into a position of defence herself. ' " '

GOVERNMENT TO SUBMIT LEGISLATION. Tho PRIME MINISTER said the Loader of the Opposition had told liim that ho did not wish to debato tho question, and he would not discuss I it on his own part, . He .had publicly intimated tho Government's intentions to submit legislation dealing with the internal defence of New Zealand next session. The Government's proposals would be of a very extensivo nature, and of a character, ho thought, that would commeaid ( them to the pooplo of tho country gonerally, The mere discussion 'of a resolution which was not accompanied by details of a scheme would not for a moment settle the question, arid ho believed it would bo better to let this resolution pass without a debato or division, it being remembered that ■ there was no committal on tho part of any hon. membor to it.

Mr. WITTY (Riccarton) said that some of tho new members would bo put in an awkward position if there was'no debate or division. and they did not'havo an opportunity to deal with tho proposal. 1 < Tho Prime Minister said that ho was not in favour of a_ proposal of tho kind made. Even if tho motion was affirmed by the House, ho was not going to bind himself to the principle it included. It was generally recognised that they had. to alter and improve materially 1 tho defonco system, and ho did not object to tho Houso showing its desire to havo an alteration) but he was not going to be bound by tho principle of tho motion or by tho details that might bo in tho lion, gentleman's mind on such an important question. Ho had had two separate schemes prepared for the last month or two, but it was a difficult matter, on which thoy would not come to a decision till they ha'cl debated it vory fully in all its details. It was a matter which no private member could put through the Houso; the responsible Government must submit a scheme. Ho had 110 objection to tho motion with, tho clear explanation lie had made, so far'as his own attitude was concerned. Ho did not object to the motion, but he was not going to bo bound by it in any way.

AN AMENDMENT. Mr. WILFORD asked if Mr. Massey would aocopt an ameudment. Ho did not desire to opposo tho'motion, bat there wero so many

schemos for the defence of tho Dominion--Mr. Massey'B colleagues had suggested one— that it'would be as well to leave that matter open. Mr. Massey's motion would absolutely bind them to a particular lino. (Opposition interjections: No.) He proposed as an amendment that after the word "opinion" tlioy should insert "that some system should be initiated by which the defence of tho Domin-. ion should bo effectively carricd out." - Mr. Masse;: That would mean nothing. Mr. J. Vigor Brown (Napier) seconded the amendment. Mr. Fisher: The amendment does not say who should initiate tho form of dcfcncc. Is tho man in tho street to do it?

Mr. Wilford said ho thought tho manner of tho schemo should bo left open. They should simply say that the volunteer system was unsatisfactory and a chango necessary, leaving the rest open. Mr. Fisher: It's been open for tho 'ast fifteen years. Mr. M'Larcn: Does .he want tho HOU6O to affirm that tho volunteer system is por so inadequate? Mr> Wilford: Yes. THE DEBATE ADJOURNED.

Mr. RUSSELL (Avon) moved that tho debate be adjourned till Thursday, October 21. Then those who woro not prepared to accept the position either that tho volunteer system was inadequate or that compulsory training was necessary would be left free to discuss whatever proposals woro put forward by t)i<s Government.

Mr. T. E. TAYLOR (Christchuroh) seconded this amendment. He was quite prepared to support a schcmo 'of compulsory training for defence purposes, but ho did not seo what was to bo gained by tho .House passing Mr. Massey's motion. It was conccivablo that it would be used simply to make capita] of, and to establish a claim that the Opposition had tho approval of this system of dofence. If tho motion was carricd it would not put tho Houso any further ahead. He bclicvid that tho opinion in Now Zealand was almost unanimous that Micro must bo some more efficient system than tho volunteer system, but thoy. should not bo aslwd to vote for a great proposal of this kind without knowing what was behind it. Thoy wanted a schemo proposed by<tho Government; it could not come from any other part of the House. When tlio Government brought down a scheme for compulsory training, ho believed that tbero would be very fow dissenting votes, but before they voted at all, they had a right to ask that all tho aspccts of the scheme should be before them.

The amendment to adjourn .tho debate was carried by 44 to 29. The following is the division list:— For tho Amendment (44). •Vrnold Luke • grown' Macdonald Buddo M'Laren Buxton Mackenzie, T. Carroll. • M'Kenzio, R. Clfk ; , Millar Co'Y 11 } Ngata £ rnI SW Parata ■ Davey p o!and . Duncan, Hon. T. Reed i Duncan, J.. Remington f ~ Ross £°\lds Russell '. Graham gddon Groenslade Sidev i ' Hall StalLrthy g annn - Taylor, E. H. *?°S2. Te Rangihiroa Jennings, . Thomson, J. C. Uurenson Wilford Lawry , Witty . . ■ ■ ' Against the Amendment (29). Allen Lang Aiiuerson 'Marnier. Bollard Massoy Buchanan Newman Buick . Nosworthy Dillon Okey " ®j vo Pearce Fisher Phillips Fraser Poolo Glover " ' _ Rhodes Guthrie : ; Scott ■l art Jy ; Thomson, G. M Herdmaii Ward Worries Wright Hino

FINANCE BILL PASSED. Tho Finance Bill was read a third time. At 4 p.m. tho Houso adjourned for an hour, till tljo Finance Bill should havo passed tho Council and received the Governor's assent." CONCLUSION. ■ ' When these steps were reported, The PRIME MINISTER, on behalf , of piembers, thanked tho Speaker for tho way in which he had presided. Ho also expressed to the Lender of tho Opposition bis acknowledgment of tho courtesy which 'Mr. Massoy had oxt-ended to him in a vory difficultpositioii, and thanked tho members of tho House generally for thoir co-operation. Ho fully recognised that a groat deal of consideration had been shown to the Government, and ho hoped that any remarks of a. heated nature which he might have made would bo regarded mcroly in the light of explanations, lie bad no wish to.hurt anybody's feelings, and lie did not think that no had done so. Ho.sincerely hoped that it would bp his pleasure and great privilege to meet thorn all on his return in a fow months' time. Ho would havo very pleasant recollections of tho session, and hoped that ho would get through the difficult task beforo him, if not so as to meet with tho approbation of all tho members of tho House, yet at least so to havo tho acknowledgement, though it might not be expressed, that ho had done his best for the country. . .

Mr. MASSEY congratulated the Primo Minister on the impartiality with which ho had solccted the business of tho session, and- hoped that they would see him back foolina fit and well. Tho session had been a short one, but a very strenuous one, and sflmo very important business had been put through—as to whether it would bo to tho advantago of the country ho would express no opinion. Ho felt confident that tho Prime Minister would represent them worthily at tho conference, and ho hoped that its proceedings would bo of benefit not only to the Empiro, but t-o the country to which they belonged. ' Tho PRIME ■ MINISTER then moved that the Houso adjourn till 2.30 p.m. on Friday. The SPEAIvER thanked the Prime Minister and Loader of tho Opposition for their expressions towards himself, and wished tho Primo Minister God-speed, bon voyage, and :i most successful mission.

Tho PRIME MINISTER mado acknowledgment of tho courtcsy of tho officers of Parliament, and of tho courtesy and impartiality which had boon shown by tho Chairman of Committeea (Sir. Wilford) during his very short sojourn in tho chair. The motion, which, is purely formal as regards tho, suggestion of resumption on Friday, was thon carried .unanimously at 5.20 p.m., and tho session ended.''