THE END IN SIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12991, 7 October 1905, Page 5

THE END IN SIGHT.

CONCLUDING STAGES OF THE ' SESSION. WHO IS BLOCKING BUSINESS? MEMBERS' SPEECHES IN INCHES. PREMER HEADS THE LIST. fBT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. The Speaker announced to the House this afternoon that as the end of the session was so near he would allow the House to consider in committee, after midnight, Bills that had passed their second reading before that hour. Mr. Massey said he objected to this. He knew a precedent for such a thing had been established, but it was for the House to I say whether new business should be taken after twelve p.m. He understood that a number of members were anxious to get back to their constituents, and he bad seen indications to that effect. Their duty, however, was to remain until the business of the country was concluded. The Premier should have made an announcement as to the Bills that lie intended to strike off the Order Paper, before the twelve o'clock rule was suspended. In this respect lie was quite aware that the Premier, with bis majority, could keep the House sitting until four or five o'clock in the morning, but if lie (Mr. Massey) could get a dozen members to support him, and lie ventured to say that he could get mori.than a dozen, he would undertake that m -legislation would pass through the Houp without being properly considered. (Hear, hear.) The Premier: Some of these days I will write down what the Leader of the Opposition intends to say before lie says it. If the Leader of the Opposition was prepared to stay and help, the Government would stop till December 2 to finish the business. Mr. Massey: I'll be very happy to. Mr. Hawkins: I'll make one. . Mr. Seddon was understood to say that Mr. Massey would need all his time to get back. Mr. Massey retorted : If you come up I'll have the greatest pleasure in putting you dtwn. (Laughter.) That's a fair offer. Mr. Seddon : I'm never bombastic—(Cries of " Oh," and laughter)— I might invite the lion, member down to the West Coast, and if lie went there he would never be seen again. Mr. Seiidon went on to charge the Opposition with blocking the business of the country. Mr. Alison reminded Mr. Seddon that this was an old, old story. Mr. Seddon went on to giVe some explanation of the business he wished transacted, but his explanation was anything but lucid. He. however, intimated that a Bill to amend the Factories Act would be brought down, and that he proposed to go on with the debate oil the 'and question on Monday nextMr. Kirkbride: I thought you promised to take only unimportant business on Monday nights. Mr. Massey : This is unimportant, according' to him. Mr. Seddon: At this late stage of the session I have altered that. Mr. Massey repudiated the statement that there had been any blocking of the business. He read figures to show the amount of space taken up by certain members in Hansard, as follows:— Premier, 2343 in ; the Minister for Railways, 1544 in; the Leader of the Opposition, 1106 in ; Mr. Taylor, 923 in ; Mr. Ell, 702 in ; Mr. Jas. Allen, 653 in ; Mr. Hall-Jones, 646 in ; Mr. Duthie, 622 i n; Mr. McGowan, 572 in ; Mr. Hogg, 559 in. Mr. Massey said it appeared that the Premier occupied more than double the space that he (Mr. Massey) did, yet the Premier accused him of blocking the businessMr. Seddon now shifted his ground, and said the blocking was done in committee— (laughter)—and, as the hon. member knew very well, debates in committee were not reported. Mr. Massey, however, promptly contradicted that statement, pointing out that i there had been very little committee work this session—(hear, hear)—and that there had been no blocking in connection with it. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Seddon shifted his again, and he now said they had been eight nights in committee on the Estimates—that was when the blocking was done. Mr. Massey, however, pointed out that the discussion in committee on the Estimates is reported in Hansard. (Hear, hear.)