PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, 18 December 1909, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

" (By ' Telegraph.) (From Our Parliamentary Reporter! AN ALL-NIGHT SITTING. ANGRY* PROTESTS. THE OPPOSITION GAIN THEIR . POINT. The Public Works Amedment Bill, introduced by Mr Roderick McKenzie in his capacity as Minister- for Works contains on-, clause that is very objectionable to country members. This is clause 13, which gives the Government power to override local authorities in certain circumstances in regard to \Vorks for which public monies have been voted. When I the Bill came up for its second reading i the Opposition intimated that they would strongly oppose the clause. This, together with the fact that the Government attempted driving tactics, and the determined and unconciliatory attitude of the Minister for Works, was responsible for 1 an all-night sitting last'nignt. " Mr McKenzie intimated that it was inI tended to push not only his Public Works Bill, but also the Native Land Bill, a measure of no fewer than 24 clauses.

This poposition got up Mr Massey's back, and he started an energetic and deliberate stonewall against such methods of legislating. --He was ably seconded by his followers, notably by Mr JamesAllen and Mr W. Fraser, the latter being especially good fighting trim. In the end the Opposition tactics were proved to be fully justified, for Mr Massey not only .ffectually blocked the Committee stage of the Native .Land Bill at such an unreasonable hour, biit ha also succeeded in getting the objectionable clause 13 ■knocked out of the bill altogether.

The protest began shortly after 1 a.m., when a motion to report" progress was moved and lost. Numerous' divisions were then taken, but" tha 'Government followers went solidly into the lobby against every Oppposition proposal. Towards 3 a.ta. Sir Joseph Ward charged the Opposition with blocking the business. •'..';.-

This drew a warm protest from Mr Massey, who said that those' who were blocking the business of the country were those who voted in June for- the postponement bf the business -until October, and those who had shown such gross incompetence in connection with the management of the country's business, The present condition of things, he said, was unworthy of Parliament and unworthy of the country. As far as the Premier's inferential threat was concerned, he (Mr Massey) said that he and those with him wore prepared to sit until Saturday night, and to come back after Christmas.

Sir Joseph Ward (as if he meant it) : Hear! Hear!

Mr Massey added that the Opposition had no desire to block business, but .if the Premier was looking for trouble ha would get it. The Opposition, by repeated, calls for divisions, succeeded in keeping the Government Party awake, and in reply to another charge of blocking business, Mr W. Fraser said a minority had rights — and the minority was going to retain its rights. They (the Opposition) were not going to be. bullied or taxed beyond reason.

Mr R. McKenzie . vehemently denied thht ho had suggested that the Native Land Bill should also b e put through Committee that night. He got into conflict with Mr W. Fraser, and was obliged to withdraw if. statement reflecting o'n the political- veracity .of the member, for Wakatipu. Mr McKenzie added that ha did not desire any assistance from the Leader of the Opposition. The Opositition hoped to block business so that when it went to the. country it could say that the Government had not passed legislation.

Mr Massey denied-this statement, and complained of the tone adopted by the Minister . He said that the could assure, the Minister that there were men associated with him (Mr Massey) who were just as good physically, jnst as good mentally, and just as obstinate as the Minister when the necessity for it arose. Eventually daylight arrived, and Mr Wright move dthat the Chairman leave thei chair. He pointed td.rthe clock, which showed 4 a.m. This was ; too much for Mr Dillon, who splutered out an emphatic protest. He said that what had been going on was "Tommyrot." JSventuaLLy the Government Whip went over and. arranged a truce, ■with the Opposition, and clause 13 went overboard. The ' Bill . was then" passed through its final stages, and members, iritable, tired, and sleepy, went ;home with the milk at 6 a.m.