IN PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1237, 20 September 1911, Page 5

IN PARLIAMENT.

DAILY SUMMARY. CONCLUSION OF BUDGET DEBATE. With a few more hours of dullness and a, brisk finish, the Financial Debate camo to an end yesterday. Mr. Myers, who resumed it early in the ' afternoon, expressed in his own tiuiot nnd pleasant, but unimpassive, manner his approval of nearly everything in tho liudget. Sir William Steward spoke to a bare quorum, but grew vehement demanding the missing lnnd policy. Ho warned tho Government that it would have to como down with somo clear-cut proposals of reform or hand over the reins to other people. Mr. Luke began with an enthusiastic eulogy of the ox-Minister for Education, and went on to speak of industrial development, including the iron industry and a naval dock at Evans Bay. Mr. Bollard spoke of the land question, and agricultural education. Mr. L. M. Isitt made his first considerable speech as a member. He began with a plea for the conscientious objector to military training, and.then went on to make an attack on tho Opposition. He scarcely talked about the Financial Statement at all. He told funny stories, made catchy phrases, and used the platfomi art 3 which he has practised for many years. The debate flickered unexpectedly at 9 p.m., when Sir Joseph Ward rosa to reply to criticisms that had been levelled at his administration, and to conclude the debate. ' The Prime Minister replied to his critics with much acrimony and lung power. He seemed less anxious than usual to cover all the ground, and in fact hfs speech was of no great scope. Its latter portion consisted of a rapid scurry over 6uch burning topics as the fivemillion loan and tho "Black" pamphlet. Tho unexpectedly early close of the debato. is attributed to nn arrangement between the two sides of tho House, in accordance with the general wish to get on with the business and not unduly protract tho session. Ii is understood that there were membsrs on both sides of tho House ready to speak. The Estimates were taken at once, aDd Mr. Massey, in''Committee of Supply, moved to reduce the Legislative vote' by £o, as an. indication that tho Legislative Council should be reformed by being made elective. Tho discussion was kept going for nearly three hours, and certain' Ministerialists who had gone away to bed wero fetched back in readiness for a division. However, Mr. Buxton, nt halfpast one, moved to report progress, nnd to the surprise of many and the relief of . not a few the Opposition did not challenge a division. Tho Houso rose immediately afterwards.