BURYING THE HATCHET.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 186, 6 August 1913, Page 7

BURYING THE HATCHET.

CALM AFTER THE STORM. (By Telegr-aph. —Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. When the House rose, on Saturday morning after its all-night sitting the air was somewhat electric, and ominous rumblings threatened a further outbreak of tlie political volcano when next sitting day arrived. Happily, however, calmer and more peaceful "counsels had prevailed during the enforced truce, and the only suspicion of reference this afternoon to the battle of Friday night was uttered in good nature in the course of debating the Loans to Local Bodies Bill. The member for Avon wae touching on loans, old and new. when Mr. Davey's voice inquired, "What about the Loan and Mercantile £50,000 loan? -, "Hoi Ho!" and laughter. Mr. Russell (in his own expansive way): Don't raise a painful subject. The Premier's alert ears pricked immediately: "Painful,' , he ejaculated; "there is nothing painful about it." "Well," returned Avon benignantly. '"we arc start ing a new week, and we want To give the Uovernment a pood run with their legislation. We have passed two biU<, the. Magistrate's Courts Amendment and the Old Age Pensions Reciprocity already this afternoon, as earnest of our intention.*' (laughter.)

The Prim-e >jinMcr could not allow the gentle reference to pass without acknowledgment. "1 want t-o congratulate the honorable member and his friends ou their good resolution. If the Opposition party will adhere to it. criticising only fairly and frankly, then the Government will keep them well supplied with good material," he remarked amid further merriment.