END OF THE SESSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1922, Page 4

END OF THE SESSION.

IMPORTANT WORK DONE. REVIEW BY THE PREMIER CLOSING SCENE IN THE HOUSE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Feb. If. When the business of Parliament was concluded shortly after eipjtt o’clock to-night the Premier rose ana said that before moving the adionmment of the House he desired to something with regard to the work the session. “We have,” be said, "come to tan end of a long and strenuous r MnTf we have passed another milestone on the legislative highway.” He congratulated the Speaker and chairman of committees, by whose tact, hrmness and ability they had enabled the New Zealand Parliament to maintain the high reputation which it had enjoyed for years as one of the best conducted and one of the most distinguished Parliaments within the British Empire. He thanked the officers of the House for the assistance they had rendered to members, and particularly to himself, who necessarily made heavy demands upon their services. Continuing, Mr. Massey said this had been a working sesson. They had overtaken much of the arrears of work which had accumulated since the armistice and they had added much important legislation to the Statute Book. No more important legislation had ever been passed than that which they put through this week. Much of it might be experimental, but he was sure it would be useful. The recess would be shorter than Usual, but he hoped that when they returned to their homes they would continue to respect each other as they had done in the past, and when they came back again he trusted g they would be able to work together for " the good of the Dominion to which they were proud to belong. Mr. T .M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) supported the Prime Minister's eulogy of the Speaker and the staff of Parliament, adding that the legislation passed was of an advanced character. How some of it might turn out no man could tell, but he hoped iU would prove to the benefit of the country they all desired to serve. Mr. H. E. Holland, on behalf of the Labor Party, added his tribute to the staff of the House. He said that though the lines between Labor and other parties were drawn most clearly in the House he was pleased to note that a high standard of debate was always maintained, in fact the proceedings of this assembly compared more than favorably with any other Parliament in the Empire. The Speaker (Sir F. W. Lang) and the chairman of committees (Mr. A. S. Malcolm) briefly returned thanks. The Prime Minister moved the adjournment, which was carried on a division by 19 votes to 14, and the House rose at 8.35 p.m., bringing to a close the third session of the twentieth Parliament. J The closing scenes in the Legislative Council were marked by valedictory speeches, with special reference to the leader (Sir Francis Bell), who is shortly leaving on a holiday visit to the Old Country. Many speakers paid glowing tributes to Sir Francis Bell for his nprighteousness. honesty, great ability and devotion to the people. Durihg the session just closed the House sat on eighty days. Sittings before midnight occupied 540 hours 4G minutes and after midnight 55 hours ’5 minutes. The daily average sitting was 7 hours 27 minutes. Eighty-nine public Bills received Royal assent and 41 were dropped or otherwise disposed of. In the whole House there were 21 divisions in committee. Two hundred and ninety petitions were presented from Europeans and 77 from Maoris. Questions asked of Min\ters totalled 332 and 370 papers were laid upon the table.