"BLUFF."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 165, 6 April 1908, Page 5

"BLUFF."

'' A ... PLEASANTRIES IN VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. Mr; Lemmon, when discussing'the railway estimates in the Assembly the other day, by springing a surprise upon tho Premier in moving a reduction of an item by £1, was the cause of some ; warm verbal interchanges. Mr. Lemmon charged the Railway Commissioners with virtually flouting the will of Parliament by striking the minimum wago provision out of the contracts. The Premier refused to consider the amendment; as it had been moved' without giving him any notice. Subsequently the Chief Secretary handed the Premier a reply forwarded by the Commissioners. When the subject was previously brought under their ,notico by Mr. Lemmon, it was to the effect that prior to 1903 it Was customary to make such a provision in the railway contracts, but owing to tho fact that wages were now determined by the provisions of the Factories Act, it was not considered necessary to insert it. Mr. Lemmon: Bluff 1 The Premier: That is a very vulgar phrase. Mr., Ward: Still it is true, ! Mr. Lemmon made a further interjection. The Premier: I don't want any of your jaw.

. Mr. Prondergast: What are yon getting cross about ? The Premior: Why should insects liko that bo allowed to annoy one. Mr. Leramon: You had better go on to your ohain. Mr. Prendergast said the statement of the Commissioners was not true. The Commissioners wore flouting a resolution passed by Parliament. Only one-third of the trades wore under the Factories Act. . Tho Premier promised to make a statement in tho report stage, and tho matter was dropped.