REPEAL OF THE SECOND BALLOT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 620, 19 November 1913, Page 5

REPEAL OF THE SECOND BALLOT.

OPPOSITION Sl'o>;-;W:iLL. A STRENUOUS D^DVTU. MEMBER INVITED OUTSIDE. [hy Ti:L!:i;nA!'u. —iti-:ss .'.>--n: i vnON.l Wellingtot!, This Day. During the consideration of the Legislature Amendment Bill in the Houbb last night. Mr Massey indicated an amendment would be moved providing for the repeal of the Second Ballot. No provision would be made for a substitute, but next session an opportunity would be taken of discussing the whole of the elctoral laws. He also indicated what business the Government proposed proceeding with this session. The Bills named totalled 24, but he stated there may be others. The House settled down to what looks like a prolonged siege of the Legislature Amendment Bill. The Opposition tactics are those of the orthodox stonewall, speeches mainly devoted to outlining amendments it was proposed to move at a later stage. They are working in shifts and both sides declare it to be a fight to a finish. When the finish will come it is impossible to estimate, but on present appearances it will not be for several days. After the telegraph office closed at 2 o'clock the stonewall continued unabated Party tactics to gain time was to bring the Speaker into the chair to rule on a question of relevancy which under the Standing Orders rests entirely in the discretion of the Chairman of Committees. On the last occasion this proceeding was resorted to the Speaker instructed the chairman not to take further notice of such a request, and if any member persisted in questioning his ruling such member must be committed for contempt. Short!::- after 2 o'clock Mr Ngata produced Webster's dictionary and spent some time in the exposition of the various forms in which the word "This" could be used. / The speakers during the night were Messrs Poland, Forbes, Witty, Isitt, Atmore, McDonald, Ngata, Rangihiroa and Seddon, the Ministers taking turns in charge of the Bill. At 4.15 Mr Seddon was cautioned by Mr Hine, acting chairman, against discussing the influence of Latin on the English language, his remarks being ruled irrelevant. At 5 o'clock a division was taken on Mr Poland'B amendment which was lost by 9 votes to 22. A sharp passage took place between Mr Atmore "and Dr Pomare in which the latter invited the former to "come outside," when the chairman interposed. Sir Joseph Ward moved to report progress, discussion on which proceeded until 6.40, when Mr Massßy announced he bad just received the sad intelligence of the death of Mr Laurenson, which occurred at 4 o'clock. He at once moved that the House adjourn til 2.30 p. m The House rose at 6.45 a.m.