PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26630, 28 November 1947, Page 6

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS

CLOSE OF BUSY SESSION FELICITOUS SPEECHES Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Nov. 27. The session of Parliament which began on June 26 came to an end in the House of Representatives at 12.35 p.m. to-day following the singing of the National Anthem. The last halfhour of the session was occupied with the usual valedictory speeches, the exchange of seasonal greetings and the traditional mock division on the motion to adjourn. The House assembled at 11 a.m. and dealt first with formal business, which included three urgent questions, and the presentation of final reports from Select Committees. The roypl assent was also received to the last of the Bills passed, and a return was tabled giving a schedule of the business dealt with during the session. Before the House adjourned, the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, congratulated the Speaker, Mr R. McKeen, on the efficient manner in which he had carried out the difficult task of controlling the House. He said it would be under-stating the measure of Mr Speaker’s success if he did not say he had done a very good job in mastering the technique of control in a manner second to none. The Prime Minister paid a similar compliment to the Chairman of Committees, Mr Clyde Carr, and expressed appreciation of the services of the chief messenger, Mr J. R. Taylor, who is retiring after 42 years’ continuous service in the Legislative department. He also made appreciative reference to the work of all others associated with Parliament and remarked that a breath of the old days was experienced with the recent all-night sitting of the House. He thanked the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, and his party sincerely for their co-operation in discharging the business of the House. The Prime Minister wished all members of the House, all associated with Parliament, the citizens generally, and the people of the Commonwealth a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. “We have been privileged to help the Mother Country in her difficulties," he said, “and in the coining year it will be our privilege to help her to the maximum with all our Resources.” Mr Holland supported the Prime Minister’s tributes to those associated with the work of Parliament, and thanked him for the courtesy and consideration he had always given. ' Mr Speaker and Mr Carr thanked the Prime Minister and the’.Leader,of the Opposition for their remarks about their work. Mr Speaker said he had endeavoured to follow the high traditions maintained by former Speakers and to uphold the dignity of the House. He felt he must always be strictly impartial in the conduct of the business. The House then adjourned. STATISTICAL SUMMARY P.A. WELLINGTON, Nov. 27. # The House of Representatives during the 1947 session, which extended over 157 days, with 86 sitting days,passed a total of 77 public Bills, over which 47 divisions were taken, and two private Bills. The House sat for 482 hours 3 minutes before midnight and for 19 hours 32 minutes after midnight, the total of 501 hours 35 minutes being 161 hours, or 26 sitting days, in excess of the figures for the 1946 session. The daily average sitting day of the session just ended was 5 hours 50 minutes. Members asked 463 questions. European and Maori petitions presented numbered 78 and 47 respectively. Papers laid upon the table totalled 263, and 126 were printed. Reports from select committees reached 166, of which 61 were concerned with Maori affairs.