SCENE IN THE HOUSE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8910, 7 August 1914, Page 2

SCENE IN THE HOUSE

OPPOSITION LEAVE !N A BODY

WHEN.'THE BUDGET WAS PRESENTED.

(Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 6

When the House met at X.30 p.m. Sir Joseph .Ward asked the Prime Minister if it was true that the Budget was to be brought down this evening. The Hon. Mr Massey replied that the Minister, of Finance would deliver the Budget that evening. Sir J. G. Ward said he regretted to hear the statement. At a time when England was at war it was most advisable to drop all party politics in the House, and his party was prepared to do that. The Budget necessarily contained matters of a highly controversial nature, and the Opposition must either accept it with their mouths shut,; or approach it very much in a party spirit. He suggested that the Minister should postpone the delivery of the Budget, and if he wanted ways and means let him; bring down a statement of what he wanted, and the Opposition would pass it without discussion. He did not think it wise to precipitate at this juncture a strong party discussion such as might take place on the Budget. Mr Massey said the Financial Statement was the most important document laid before Parliament during the session. It had been ready for some days, and the people had a right to know the financial position of the country. ' Mr Russell: That is a different thing, iThe Budget, contains your policy. ) The Premier: Why shouldn't the people know what our policy is ? Hon. Members: We can't discuss it. Mr ; Russell said the fact was that {the Opposition had disappeared as a i party vin.; the House, and they wanted ,to maintain that position until the ( present crisis had passed. • ] Mr Massey said the objections raised ' to the delivery of a Budget might be raised with equal force to any legislation, and Parliament would have to adjourn; He was going to take up that position. The state of Europe would Fbe worse before it was better, and it'was the duty of the Government to lay the statement before the people. He did not propose to go on with the discussion,at all. , . , .

Sir Joseph Ward explained that he had not refused to discuss the Budget out of pique, but out of a sense of duty to Europe and the Empire. In the evening Sir Joseph Ward again objected, and said he could not sit silent in the House, and therefore would leave it.

Mr Massey declined to postpone the Statement, and on Mr Allen rising to deliver it, the members of the Opposition followed Sir Joseph Ward out of the chamber. Members of the Labour Party also left, and the Government benches only were occupied when the Budget was delivered.