THE DYING SESSION.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13614, 24 December 1909, Page 9

THE DYING SESSION.

PROCEEDINGS AT MIDNIGHT. (BPECIAI* TO "THE J?BEB8.") WELLINGTON, December 23. To-day has been the most trying summer day we have had so far, and the effect of the heat upon the jaded members was very noticeable. Tho House was listless, and seemedi quite played out. On' several occasions there was not a quorum present, and as I write at midnight, while Mr Seddon is speaking, the Speaker is asleep in his chair. That, however, is small wonder, for there is a point beyond which physical and mental endurance cannot go. and that point ajppears now to have been reached. The subject under discussion is the Public Works Statement, and the speeches being made are of the usual kind that we have heard so often in other sessions and other Parliaments. At times it is a North ond South Island discussion, and every now and then it descends to parish pump questions, during which one frequently hears such phrases as, "the district I have the honour to represent," /'neglected back-block settlers," etc. ' .

It is quite certain that the session cannot end to-night, but it may be brought to a close to-morrow afternoon. Very few will be sorry when it is a thing of the past.