PARLIAMENTARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1927, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY.

i,By Telegraph—Per Press Association. THE HOUSE. AD- AlcCombs said that the Alagistrato who conducted the recount in Lyttelton would have given costs against the Crown if he could have done so, hut the law did not allow him to do so. The law should he altered, otherwise every one who stood for Parliament might find Hi nisei t mulcted in an expenditure <d from £3UU to £-100 through no limit of his own. Air So<l don regretted that no provision had been made for the payment of those election petition expenses, because the candidates concerned were forced into the position liv their respective political parties, and win or lose, they were bound to he involved

in heavy expense. Hon. ATcLeod said there was an element of justice in the arguments used, and it involved an amendment of the general act. That was a big matter and lie was collecting information regarding it. That information was not complete, but he doubled if the State should make itself liable for all errors of judgment on the part of its officers. However, the matter had to he settled on general, not on particular linos, and lie would give a promise that tho matter would he considered next session. Discussion on the subject then dropped.

On item one in tho first schedule, AH Alt-Combs brought up the question of the reappointment of certain members of the Legislative Council, hut his method of dealing with the matter was ruled out of order and the subject was not continued.

The Bill was reported from the Committee without amendment and read a third time and passed. The House then adjourned till 2.30. THE SESSION ENDS. WELLINGTON, Dee. 6. Tho Legislative Council met at -1.30 p.m. On receiving the Governor’s assent to the final hills passed, there were the usual valedictory speeches. In moving the adjournment Sir F. D. Bell defended the constitutional rights and privileges of the Council making particular reference to the comments in regard to the amendment on the Licensing Amendment Bill. The Council finally adjourned at 5.-IS p.m.

The House after passing the Appropriation Bill adjourned {rending the hill being signed by the Governor-General. On resuming at 4.30 p.m. the Prime Alinister proposed that an administrative committee be sel up to make arrangements for a conference on the Arbitration Amendment Bill which will he held during the recess. Valedictory speeches and the singing of the National Anthem brought to a close the second session of the twentysecond parliament.

During the session just concluded, the House sat on ]oo days, which is a record for the Dominion. The hours of sitting totalled 70(1 hours o 3 mins., or an average of 7 hours 21 minutes, which is rather less than 19111, when the average was 8 hours -12 minutes. The l*nlilic- llills passed totalled 101. and those dropped or otherwise disposed of fIS. The private hills passed numbered two. The petitions presented were 283 from Europeans, and 03 from Maoris. Eighty-four divisions took place, and cpiestions asked of Ministers numbered 2(50. There were 271 papers presented to the House, and 100 reports received from select committees.