AFTER BREAKFAST

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8525, 15 September 1913, Page 8

AFTER BREAKFAST

LIBERAL REINFORCEMENTS. Upon resumption at 9 a.m. protests and expostulation were continued by Messrs L. M. Isitt, G. W. Russell, and a reinforcement of Opposition members who urged that overcrowding had been ono of the greatest evils in connection with the mental hospitals. Mr Russell described a visit to Avondalo Asylum, during his term of office, when ho found shocking overcrowding. Answering an interjection, ho said he did not blame any Government for tho position of things. He blamed tho House generally for not proper care of tho institutions. Classification of tho patients was also urgently needed. Referring to overcrowding, Sir Joseph Ward (Loader of tho Opposition) reminded - members that twenty years ago tho growing numbers of those who were mentally afflicted put a great strain on tho Government at that time. He detailed tho extensions to large institutions and tho establishment, of new homes and hospitals in various parts of tho country. It was regrettable that the number of mentally afflicted had increased, and unless there was a diminution tho number of institutions would have to be increased. Surely they could remember that this matter had never been made the subject of party conflict. The -right thing was to fix a point at which they would stop on the Estimates, and then return at a later time when party heat had disappeared. MR MASSEY OBDURATE. Mr A. M. Myers at 9.45 a.m. suggested a five minutes’ adjournment in order that the Prime Minister and the Leader of tho Opposition could confer. Chorus of “Reformers.” “Noj” ■ Later the Prime Minister said he ■pould not agree to anything in tho way of compromise. Mr Isitt; Hear, hear. Mr Massey: I arti making the position perfectly clear: a compromise would suggest that tho Government had done something unreasonable. “We have been doing nothing-,of the sort. All he asked now was that the Internal Affairs vote should be passed. The report on Mental Hospitals had not been suppressed; the Printing Office had been blocked with business, but had informed him that the report was m type, but not read. One document — the classification of the Public Service —took four and a half tons of paper. Ho suggested to members opposite that they should drop this discussion. REPORTS NOT TABLED.

The Hon. A. T. Ngata called attention to the number of reports that had not been tabled, including those on the Cook Islands, and on the Tourist Department. Mr Russell indicated that it was only when the Government asked them to vote £105,000 for mental hospitals without their having the report, that they called a halt. Tho Department of Public Health was on its trial. ‘The Government will not force us to pass money without giving us the opportunity °f criticising the administration of expenditure during last year, and we could not do so until wo .have the reports.” The Prime Minister found ho was mistaken in thinking that consideration of tho class could not ho P °M?° Rhodes: I don’t wish to force the Estimates through; he can have tho report. . , Mr Isitt: Dragged it out! At last! Mr Russell urged that the Government should give them the reports ot Mental Hospitals and Tourist Resorts, then adjourn till 2.30 p.m. PROOFS JUST RECEIVED.

Mr Rhodes said that he had obtained a proof copy of the report on Mental Hospitals, which he would be prepared to lay upon the table. The Prime Minister informed tne House that Dr Pomare had jpst told him that the proof of tho Cook Islands report had just been received in the House, and members would thus have tho opportunity of considerAtmore (Nelson) said that it was strange that these two reports had not come down until they had been forced out of the Government. Mr Massey qnoted from the Hospitals report to show that everything possible was being done, and though there had been delay in building, the Government were not responsible. The different - buildings were being pushed on as rapidly as possible, and it was quite evident that the overcrowding was a thing of tho past. “UNDESIRABLE DEADLOCK.”

Sir Joseph Ward said ho wanted to see this position ended as soon as possible. Members who had asked for these reports had not been unreasonable. He had a distinct recollection of holding back one set of Estimates for a report. Nobody wanted to. make party capital out of mental hospitals, and he suggested an adjournment till 2.30 to put an end to yt undesirable deadlock. Mr Massey was willing to adjourn till 2.30, but only on the understanding that the entire class would bo proceeded with and finished. He thought some of the reports had been presented earlier this year than in previous years. Members opposite were very unreasonable. Sir Joseph Ward said ho had to go away, and would not bb present after noon, having to keep 'an engagement. But it was the easiest thing in the world, without any strain, to keep this going till midnight. Mr Massey: I quite admit that. Mr Hanan: Wo have a good case. Sir Joseph Ward said that independently of the Hospitals Department and the' Tourist Department which this side would facilitate going hon. gentleman wanted the Public Health Department and the Public Service Commission votes passed. There was a very strong feeling on his side regarding an important ruling given by the Speaker last evening. He did not want to put the hon. gentleman in an uudiguified position-

OLIVE BRANCH REFUSED. The Prime Minister said he would have agreed to tho course suggested had the Mines and Mental Hospitals votes been passed at 12.80 the night before. He could agree to no course exce-pt to adjourn at 2.30 p.m. on the understanding that the whole class was put through. After this olive branch had been held out to tho Government and refused, tho debate settled once more at 11.40 a.m. on the condition pf tho mental hospitals of the Dominion. PICTURE AT NOON. Just on noon a number of members were stretched full length on various benches, and Mr McCallum announced that the word had passed round the Opposition party, “No surrender! Both parties appeared to have a considerable attendance. The Hon. A. T. Ngata pointed out that the report had boon in possession of tho Printing Office from Juno 29th to September 13ih, and tho office apparently had something to answer The discussion wore on with unflagging energy on tho part of Oppositionists, while a number of “Reformers” slumbered on comfortable benches. At 1 p.m. the chairman ordered a respite till 2.30 p.m., and tho committee adjourned. “FIGHT THIS QUESTION OUT.” Mr T. Parata (Southern Maori District) enlivened the proceedings by a description of the various horrors to bo met with or witnessed in an asylum. , Mr W. D. S. MacDonald (Bay of Plenty) said members on that side of the House would persist in the debate until they got a reasonable and fair explanation, from the Minister in charge of the Estimates. Not one member of the Government who had risen had made any attempt to give a fair indication of the state of things at tho Auckland asylum, or in regard to the superintendent of the institution. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes said he had twice given a number of details regarding the number of patients. Ho bad not yet heard any charges levelled against the superintendent. “Sir,” explained Mr T. Parata, with vehemence, “if I have to stay here a fortnight I will fight this question out.” When the adjournment was made at 5.30 p.m., it was generally anticipated that tho sitting would go on till midnight. The Liberal members were in great heart, but many of the “Reformers” left the chamber with dark looks'. Their Saturday night engagements would have to be cancelled, and they knew well enough that it was no use asking tho Whips to arrange pairs for them. The fight had entered its most exciting stage.