PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1921, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

THE CLOSING SCENES

(By our special reporter)

WELLINGTON, March 22. The session of Parliament ended to-

day, After a brief sitting the Legislative Council passed the Finance BilL Members of the House took advantage of their last opportunity to put questions to Ministers. The leader of the Opposition (Air AVilford) wished the Prime Minister bon voyage and Air JAlnssey replied. He told the House a little more about the business of the I Imperial Conference. ; A LABOR DIVISION. ■ The session of the New Zealand Parliament always ends as far as the House of Representatives is concerned in a ' division on the motion for adjournment. The division has no serious effect, as the business is over, and the Speaker ; is going to leave the chair anyway, and j it is treated bv members as a. joke. To-day the final division, however had to he taken seriously, as the Leader of the Labour Party (Air H. Holland) made it an occasion for a protest against the prorogation of Parliament. He said the House ought not to adjourn, while the affairs of the Dominion were in a serious position. The House disagreed with him by 45 votes to 15. Messrs Atmore, Ha-nan, Masters, Afiteheil, Kellett, S. 0. Smith Veitcli and Witty voting with the Labour members. THE PREMIER’S REYTEAY. The session has lieen a short one, said Air Massey, before the closing but it lias been a strenuous one. We have done some very important work. The interim financial report and discussion thereon must have satisfied the peo pie of this country that the GoverniintMit’s finances are perfectly sound and that we shall be able to meet our liabilities whatever they may be for quite a long time tin comic. I am certain that will be the ease. AVitb regard to the amendment of the moratorium let me say tins, that while it is quite likely that arising from the passing iof that provision therlc will he a certain amount of inconvenience to many people throughout the country, there will be no hardships so far as it is possible for me to .judge anil there will be no loss I believe and 1 probably know more about the position than any one else in Parliament that by the legislation of last evening we have nvoid--1 ed what might have beitn fojr this country a very serious financial trouble. AYe have done our duty because we-con-sidered it necessary, alasolutely necessary. Some of the matters to be discussed at the Imperial Conference in London were mentioned by the Prime Minister.. Much interest had been 1 taken recently in the proposed renew- ! ill of the Anglo-Tapanese treaty. lie ■ said his own opinion was Hint so long i as British states were allowed to choose their own citizens the Empire had a great deal to gain and nothing : to lose by a renewal of the Anglo-.Ia r 1 panose 'Treaty. He could not forgot that the .Japanese were thoroughly loyal to the British Empire during the

war. There was a point that bad been not generally recognised and that was that according to the existing treaty. .Japan was not compelled to enter the war. The treaty contained a special limitation to the effect that it referred only to possible troubles in India and the Far Fast, but .Japan bad not confined herself to the letter of her obligat ion.

A much discussed subiect was the relation of the Dominion lo tin* Empire, and to each other. AYhntever might be done no effort would be spared on bis part to strengthen the ties Hint bound the Dominion to tlie Empire. The Defence of the Empire would be discussed. He hoped the matter would Im- dealt with satisfactorily. The people of the Empire were not looking for war. but they had a perfect right to defend themselves. Air Afassey undertook to inquire in London, regarding the High Commissioner jf market re. pints which have boon the subject of complaint. He believed the reports were prepared by a very competent uffi-

gr-ants now arriving in the country for works in South AYcstland district. It was resolved the Chairman and Secretary watch the interests ol the town in re ;; ird to the approaching municipal elections. \ motion was agreed to, also, placing in the lianils of the Chairman and Secretary matters affecting the sittings of th<» Supreme Court at Hokitika.

As the financial year was closing ii was resolved to apply to ithe loea bodies for renewal of the annual votes Also to write to other bodies for finan eiai assistance.

Tbe Chairman reported on the aetioi taken wjth regard to the Prime Minis tor’s visit. Report received wit! thanks.

The meeting concluded at 9.15 p.m