THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2300, 6 November 1914, Page 3

THE HOUSE

After The Dominion went to press yesterday, the House sat through the' night and early morning until 6.55 a.m., debating with some acerbity everything on the political horizon. At this, hour the Appropriation Bill was passed. When the Houso resumed at 10 a.m., party strifes were entirely pushed out of sight _ and out of mind, and the House dispersed with the usual goodwill and the usual make-believe division on the motion for the- adjournment. - : PARTINC AMENITIES. , LEADERS EXCHANGE COMPLI- ' MENTS. The Right Hon.' W. F. Massey (Prime Minister) said he wished to congratulate Mr. Speaker on the way he had conducted the business of the House during a session that had been at times stormy and eventful. He also desired to congratulate the, Chairman of Committees on the mariner'in' which he had controlled his part of the proceedings.. He also wished, to express thanks to the officers of the Parliament. He made reference to the impending retirement of the Clerk of the House, Mr. Otterson, and- offered ,to him seasonable good wishes. "As for my friends on the other side of the House," he said, "although we have grossed swords on many occasions, I want to tell them now that as far as

I am. concerned I regard them witli the kindliest feelings possible. We are entering upon a politic?! battle, and according to . tlie fortunes of war I haven't a doubt that there will be losses on both sides. I hope that those who win will take their success without undue _ elation, and that those who .go down in the fight will accept their defeat with due equanimity." He added that although in the session there had been some long sittings, the average length of the daily sittings, had been the shortest on record since 1875. During the last few months New Zealand had certainly been; making history arid had endeavoured to do its duty to the Empire by maintaining ■those high traditions that it had main>tained in the past. Though one of the smallest it., had been the first of the Dominions to offer its assistance to the Empire in the present crisis, 1 and its troops had been the first) to take possession of foreign territory. Though the war was not likely to be over for quite a long time, still they could look forward with perfect confidence to the result. Our course as private citizens was quite clear, namely to keep our business and the business of the country going and to do our duty in assisting the Empire in other directions. In regard to Uhe young men who were going to the front he felt sure they would do their duty, and that every citizen who could take part would be' billing to shed the last drop of his blood to keep the flag flying over a united Empire. (Applause.) ' Sir _ Joseph' Ward (Leader of the Opposition) reciprocated the good wishes and expressions of friendliness from the Prime Minister, and also offered felioitations to Mr. Speaker, the Chairman of Committees, and the officers of the House.

Reference was made subsequently by both leaders to retiring members of tlw Haws —thft Him.. 3. MiLla* o.udJ Mr. J. Bollard —and to these names Sir Joseph Ward added those of Mr. T. Buxton and Mr. B. ClaTk. Mr. Speaker and Mr. Malcolm acknowledged the compliments paid to tliom, and the Bouse klispeTsed in most light-hearted mood after a sham division 011 the adjournment. The motion was carried of course—by 25 votes to 17.