Mr RILEY (South Sydney) - I should not have spoken but for the remarks which have been made by the honorable member for Gwydir. I should not like to leave the Chamber to-day with any ill-feeling toward any member of this House. I regret that the honorable member for Gwydir should have taken umbrage at anything I have said. In heated moments we do not remember that what we are saying will appear in Hansard. I regret if any statement of mine has offended my honorable friend, who is a man for whom I have always had a great respect. He seemed to be very snappy about an interjection of mine which was not premeditated, and was made without any thought of offence. 1 regret it, and I hope that the honorable member and myself will be good friends for the future.

Mr Cann - I should like to move " that the question be now put."

Mr Tudor - By permission of the House, I should like to reply to one or two questions that have been put, although I have previously spoken.

Mr SPEAKER - I have allowed ample discussion, and think that the Minister of Trade and Customs might furnish the replies privately. I should like to say to the Prime Minister, to the honorable member for Bendigo, and to others who have been so kind as to express their feelings concerning the officers of the House and myself, that we appreciate the remarks which have been made from all quarters. I can only say on behalf of the staff that since I have occupied my present position the whole of the officers have been exceedingly good. I have never had any cause to complain in any way whatever concerning the manner in which their duties have been discharged. The work has been done in a most satisfactory maimer, reflecting credit upon those who have been responsible for it, as well as upon Parliament generally. I wish to express my deep regret that the Clerk of the House, Mr. C. Gavan Duffy, was incapacitated by illness during the session. I saw him a few days ago, and am glad to say that he was able to assure me that his medical advisers bad stated that he was on the mend. It is probable that when the next session commences, we shall see Mr. Duffy in his place, and I hope that he will be in the best of health. I am extremely sorry that he has been so ill, and trust that the holiday which he is about to take will fully restore him to that full state of health which is so necessary to enable an officer of this House to carry out the work required of him. With regard to the Hansard staff, the Clerk Assistant, and others, they have all carried out their duties most admirably. I desire to thank them sincerely for the maimer in which they have discharged their functions, and for assistance rendered to me in carrying out my own duties during the past session. The session that is just about to conclude has been the quietest and most peaceful one that I have known since I have been a member . of the Federal Parliament. I again thank honorable members most sincerely for the assistance they have given to mie, and on behalf of the officers and myself, I wish al l a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.