THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 138, 8 December 1921, Page 6

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

1 Ther« is more curiosity displayed just now by members of Paarliament as to the end of . the session than as to the contents of the Public WoVks Statement. Inquiries on the subject were renewed yesterday, but with little result. The Prime Minister said, as he said before, that he saw little ■ prospect of finishing by Ohristmaa, but the matter was in the hands of members. One result of the ; discussion was that members, having spent^an hour in asking this and other questions, declined with Teadiness, even, one might say, with enthusiasm, the opportunity which Mr. Massey gave thorn of discussing the printed answers to", questions. They do not often lose a chance of expressing disapproval or approval (if any) of the Ministerial replies. Zeal for work haa diminished, however, before the reports of Select Committees had been disposed of. There were many such reports, and seme were discussed at length. A report on the Factories Bill was talked out by Labour members. In the evening mem--1 bers resumed'their consideration of the Tariff Bill, .which is fast developing into a habit. Some amendments to the schedules opened a,door, through/which a number of favourite 'hobby-horses were'trotted'out for an airing. Protection of motor-body building and failure to; protact hat hoodis and rolling mills were the well-worn subjects treated in. further pages of Hansard. There was a long discussion of the duty on children's shoes, on which Mr. Massey made a concession. Amendments to the clauses of the Bill were also introduced to tone .down the Order-in-Oouncil provisions, and restore in some measure the authority of Parliament. Some members considered that the Government might go further in this direction; but they failed to convince the Government. When the House rose at 11.55 p.m;, the Bill was set down for third reading ( next, sitting day. ■;