SPEED UP!

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 41, 17 August 1923, Page 6

SPEED UP!

MR. MASSEY'S APPEAL

MUST SAIL 28th AUGUST.

Daring the course of His reply to the second reading debate on the Taxing Bil' in the House of Bepresentatives this morning, the Prime Minister made a, etrong appeal to members to put the business of the session through with as much expedition as possible in order thnt he might leave for London on 28th August. "I don't believe for one moment that there is an hon. member in this House who wants to prevent me doing my duty at the coming Imperial Conference," said Mr. Massey, "but I have only a few days left, and I should like to put the business of the country through before I leave Wellington." ,TTh4r. Leadel" of the Opposition (Mr. T. £?•«,» ford): "Including the Electoral

The Prime Minister: "There is not tho slightest hope of the Electoral Bill going through this session." "? hi £ OU™? Put ifc trough," remarked Mr. Wilford. | Mr. Maesey: "I will put aa Electoral Bill on the Statute Book, but I don't expect to get this through in its entirety " Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party): "If it is in line with our policy we will help you to put it . through. i Mr Massey: "There is an 'if there, lhe Bill will be circulated, and membess can study it in the recess. There are two Bills which it would be absurd to deal with. One is, the Electoral Bill and one is the Licensing BUI. I have given a promise in connection with both. I hope we shall get the Licensing Bill. Quite a large number of witnesses is being examined, and I hope the examination will come to aii end in order that the Licensing Bill may be drafted and circulated before the end of the session. - If we can get it circulated there r a chance of a very big improvement being made in the licensing laws next session." Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton): "What is in the Electoral Bill?" A Labour member: "Nothing." Mr. Massey: "There are several things in it of which the hon. member approves, and several things in it of which he does not approve." (Laughter.) To facilitate the dispatch of business, Mr. Massey suggested that the House should meet on Saturday morning for two or three hours. Members could go -to the football match in the afternoon, and then come back and resume their obligations in the evening. "What about working on Sunday?" inquired Mr. A. L. Monteith (Wellington . East).

"I keep Sunday," replied Mr Maseey.

"And everything else," chimed in Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central), amidst laughter.

"I want members to help me as far as they possibly can on the few remaining: days," proceeded Mr. Massey. "I want to get to London because I have .been asked to be there not later than 2nd October. I can get there if I leave on the 28th. If I do not leave then I cannot do it. I ask hon. members to help me get through the business." Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) S "We'll put it through." ' ' "-"'.'

Mr. Wijford: "I am not prepared to give any "assistance towards sitting oa Saturday at all."