THREE WEEKS TO GO.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 7 August 1926, Page 4

THREE WEEKS TO GO.

parliament in session

much work still remains to BE DONE.

(By Telegraph—(Special to The Star.) . WELLINGTON, Aug. 7. With little more than three weeks to complete the session- before the Prime Minister’s departure, it has been found Accessary to put the pressure of long hours on members of the Lower House to get the business done. Long sittings are common, but a mass of Government- business remains, including 17 Bills on the order paper, over half a dozen before committees, and no important policy measures yet introduced'. In an attempt to put the whole of the remaining classes of the Estimates through- before- the House- adjourned over the week-end, Ministers forced the Opposition into -a- protest against overwork. During the day’s sitting the Estimates of 12- departments bad been missed, a-nd just before 2 a.in. several Labourites stronged urged' an adjournment. “A fair thing—but this is- over the edge,” concluded’ Mr M. J. Savage (Auckland Central) after detailing the work done -and the tired feelings- of members. The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Mines), who was piloting Lis Estimates, asked if the House would put through the class, and information could then be obtained from the Prime Minister regarding the programme when Mr Coates had returned- from a deputation. “What deputation can he be on at 2 -a.m.?” askedi Mr H. E. Holland hr surprise, but. the question was- not answered.

Though Mr Coates reappeared in a few minutes, the committee- made a further spurt, passing the Railway Estimates' of £6.000,000 without a word, as it was understood- that a day would be given for discussion of this department.

The Prime Minister, in moving the adjournment at 2.15 o’clock obtained an agreement fr-o-m the Leaders of the Labour and Nationalist Parties that there would be no discussion on- the motion to -.go into committee of supply on Tuesday to complete consideration of the Estimates.