§ Mr. SpeakerI have some further messages to read to the House of Commons this afternoon. I have a letter from the Speaker of the House of Commons of the Commonwealth of Australia who, I might say, is now in this country. The letter says:
§ "Dear Mr. Speaker,
§ I have received from Australia a cable commanding me to convey to you the following resolution, passed by the Commonwealth House of Representatives on 24th October:
§ 'That Mr. Speaker be asked to convey the following message to the Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Commons.
§ We the Members of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia in Parliament assembled desire to offer our affectionate greetings and good wishes to the Right Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Commons on the occasion of the opening of their reconstructed and historic House. In peace and in war the voice of freedom has for centuries spoken from Westminster to all the sons and brothers of the race wherever they might be. May that voice be heard for ever.'
§ Yours sincerely,
§ ARCHIE G. CAMERON,
§ Speaker, House of
§ Representatives."
§ Now I have a cable to read from New Zealand:
§ "To the Speaker of the House of Commons. I have much pleasure in transmitting the text of the following resolution which was agreed to in the House of Representatives this day:
§ 'That the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled expresses its sincere congratulations and warmest good wishes to the Speaker and Members of the House of Commons on the occasion of the opening of its new Chamber at Westminster; that this House takes pride in the fact that its traditions and procedure are based upon those of the House of Commons which for centuries has practised the principles of democracy and freedom; that this House 2760 rejoices that on the site of the Chamber destroyed there now arises a fitting home for the Mother of Parliament—for the institution which is the gift of our British people to mankind.'
§ Signed: C. G. E. HARKER,
§ Deputy Speaker,
§ Parliament House,
§ Wellington, New Zealand."
§ It is signed by the Deputy-Speaker, for I might say that the New Zealand Speaker is in this country.