ESTIMATES’ PROGRESS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29626, 23 September 1961, Page 12

ESTIMATES’ PROGRESS

Late Sitting Yesterday

(N.Z. Piers Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. A wrangle over progress on the departmental estimates kept the House of Representatives sitting until 6.20 p.m. tonight. The House normally rises at 4.30 p.m. on Friday afternoons. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) this morning took urgency for the estimates for roads, public works, electricity supply, transport, working railways, civil aviation and meteorological services, Navy, Army and Air Force, defence construction, police and tourist and publicity. Tlie Transport Department vote was passed just before 5 p.m. and the House went oTTsto the Working Railways Account.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) called out: “Can’t we go home now?” but the Minister of Railways (Mr McAlpine) did not reply. After several Opposition members had spoken, Mr Nash protested at the Government decision to keep the House sitting. He said good progress had been made on the estimates during the day and he understood the House would adjourn after the Transport Department estimates were completed Mr Holyoake said no agreement had been reached to adjourn after the transport estimates, but he was prepared to take the adjournment if the railway vote was completed in about half-an-hour on Tuesday. Mr Nash said he could not give any such undertaking because several Opposition members might still want to speak. Opposition members carried on the debate until Mr Holyoake at 6.15 pun. moved that the committee “report progress and ask for leave to sit again.” The House will continue with the estimates on Tuesday afternoon.