DULL DAYLIGHT SITTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 200, 24 August 1929, Page 23

DULL DAYLIGHT SITTING.

HOUSE HALF EMPTY.

BUDGET DEBATE NEARING ITS END

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The long daylight sitting of Friday dragged its way to a close at 5.30 last evening, leaving the members of the Press Gallery with nothing very bright to record. Strangely enough, the daylight sittings are not productive of interesting speeches, and for the most part the chamber is usually only half filled. No doubt the fact that the gallejies are frequented by few people during the morning and evening has some effect on the proceedings, since the best speakers like to be heard when the public is strongly represented. To-day, apart from the speech of the Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) and the effort of the new member for Chalmers, Mr. A. E. Ansell, there was a singular dreariness about the Financial Debate. True, Mr. D. McDougall (Mataura) contributed a more or less humorous effort, but it was not up to the standard of his Address-in-Eeply speech, which set the House in an uproar. Eight Weeks of Talk. Over the week-end the interior of Parliament Buildings will be as quiet as a bank on Christmas Day, since the majority of members have left for their respective constituencies. Next week should see the end of the Budget debate, and probably a start will be made on legislation and ihe passage of the Estimates. Members — especially those of the Labour party—are champing on the bit, and complaints, have been voiced concerning the fact that, although Parliament has been in session eight weeks, no bills other than Imprest Supply and the Rent Restriction Continuance Act, have been placed on the Statute Book.