THE SESSION'S WORE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6996, 9 December 1909, Page 8

THE SESSION'S WORE

WHEN WILL IT BE CONCLUDED? PUSHING BUSINESS ON. "At this late period of the session, it being generally understood that the House will adjourn on the 22nd or the 23rd instant, 1 think it is my duty to mako the usual announcement that for the rest of the session Bills may be introduced and put through all stages at one sitting," said the Speaker just after the House met last night. "It is the usual rule, and will be adopted again."

"And take. new business after 12 o'clock ?" queried the Prime Minister. "What is that?" quickly asked Mr Massey. "I sincerely hope that the House will not be asked to do that, and I advise the Prime Minister jot to make any motion to that effect." "Oh!" said Sir. Joseph Ward. Mr Massey went on to inquire whether it was a .fact that the session would really come to an end on the 22nd. If it would, there could be no objection to the suggestion, but if the House was to have to reassemble early in the new yeai* to put business through that could not be dealt with before Christmas, then ho thought it would be very unfair to relax the rules of Parliament, even in the modified way suggested. ■ He thought that they should have a definite statement from tho Prime Minister as to what he intended to do about the business, and what particular Bills he proposed to put through before the session came to an end.

"I propose to try to finish by the 23rd, but it depends entirely on the House," the Prime Minister. "I oannot be expected to commit myself as to what is to be put through before then. I do not want to take new business after midnight, but I do think it would facilitate matters. lam not going to move any motion- on it now, but -i I find it necessary I will do ;*>. (Voices: "No 1") It may also be necessary to sit in the mornings in order to get through." "Well, I would, like to. know, for instance, if you intend to take the Land Bill between now and the 23rd," said Mr Massey. The Prime Ministers I hope to be able to do so. Mr Ma'^?y: Is . there any idea at all of coming oack after the Christmas holidays, then? A great deal depends on that, for if we are coming back there's no use at all in sitting here six days a week, morning, afternoon and evening. The Prjme Minister: My whole object is to prevent that.- I do not want to ask the House to come back early in the new year, though we will certainly have to hold an earlier session in 1910 in any case. I am trying to get the business through between now and the 23rd, and with the assistance of the House hope to pass the' Land Bill by then. Mr Massey: I would sooner do less business and do it well, than a lot and do it badly, as we have done on one or two occasions. \ "Those are sentiments I heartily endorse," said the Prime Minister amid laughter. Before the matter was ffnsjly dropped Mr Massey ' had to be assured b->- the Speaker that the present relaxation of the rules was based upon the assumption that the session would end before Christmas, and that if the House had to come back the ordinary rules would again be in force.