ESTIMATES TALK

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3970, 14 October 1930, Page 2

ESTIMATES TALK

"A CHATTERING MATTER"

MINISTER ASKS FOR HASTE WELLINGTON, October G. Hoping to pass live classes of the Estimates at to-day’s sitting, but only disposing of two, Sir Apirana Ngata (Acting Leader of the House), expressed disappointment at the slow progress, and announced his intention of moving for urgency on Tuesday, so that the sitting continue until a definite amount of work had been done. His experience was that the Estimates were usually put through in five nights, not like those under present conditions, but five abnormal nights. Mr Fraser: In 1912 the hon. gentleman’s friends held up one class for five days. “That’s a different thing,” retorted Sir Apirana Ngata, smilingly. “ The discussion on some of these estimates has been a chattering matter.” He would ask the House to debate the Samoa report on Tuesday afternoon. Two unusually interesting reports —the Public Works and Railways Commis-sion-—had to be debated during the week, which would take at least two days, and it was the Government's intention to bring the session to a closeMr Fraser: At the end of the month? Sir Apirana: If possible, by Saturday week. Mr Semple (disgustedly) : What about Christmas? Sir Apirana Ngata remarked that the majority of members did not want that. The Government was well aware of the difficulties in a House with three and one-quarter parties—(laughter) —each entitled to discuss everything fully; but the Estimates had taken an extraordinarily long time. Mr Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) declared that he had repeatedly urged the adoption of an orderly arrangement between the parties to expedite the business, but the Government had not accepted, nor had Leader of the Opposition done so. Such an arrangement could put the business through without unduly curtailing anyone’s rights, but he would not agree to granting urgency. Mr Stewart (Acting Leader of the Opposition) asked Mr Holland what he meant by systematising the business arrangements. Did he suggest a time limit of, say, one hour for the Agricultural Department? Mr Holland; I suggest a time limit to each class, and that speakers be selected who specialise on certain subjects. “ Systematisation is like rationalisation; 1 don’t know what it means,” replied Mr Stewart, who pointed out that if any arrangement was made someone was sure to break it on the ground that the question was so urgent that it needed longer discussion. The House then adjourned without any definite development.