Bill through Senate taking advantage of the lack of Opposition.

The historic meeting in the half-empty chamber took just five minutes to complete.

It was held a week before it was scheduled, which annoyed Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade.

Mr. Wade said an agreement had been made between the two parties that Senate would resume next Wednesday.

But Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and Senate Leader Hon. Albert Jackson announced the first sitting would be yesterday.

Mr. Wade said his colleagues had arranged business trips in the belief that they would not be required. He said he was "taken aback'' by the earlier meeting date.

The three Progressive Labour Party seats, were empty along with that of absent Government Sen. the Hon. Michael Winfield.

Sen. Jackson entered the Senate Chamber at 10 a.m. and led the prayers before going through the business of the day unopposed.

He announced the first reading to the Independence Referendum Act 1994, and this was agreed by the senators present.

The meeting was adjourned at exactly 10.05 a.m.

Sen. Jackson had promised that the meeting would be simply part of the technical process to prepare the Bill for the next stage of its progress through Parliament. Senate will hold a full discussion into the Independence referendum at a later date.

Mr. Wade thought the process could have been postponed until next Wednesday.

He said Senate has held three readings in one session in the past.