PROGRESS OF THE SESSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14702, 9 December 1909, Page 7

PROGRESS OF THE SESSION

BEGINNING OF THE END. MORNING SITTINGS PROBABLE. (Faou Oun Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 8. bo far tho Prime Minister lias not made the usual statement us to which portion of the Government's business is to be proceeded with this session, |iut the beginning of the ond seems to bo in sight. In tnc House litis evening the Speaker remarked that it was usual towards the end of a sesj'on for him to make an announcement that all bills that had been introduced on one silling tlav, or read a second time, could bo carried through all their .stages at the sam? sitting. From that evening the lules of the Houso would be relaxed to enable that to be done.

Sir Joseph Ward: And that new business may be taken after 12,30 a.m. ?

The Speaker: That would havo to bo the subject of a resolution.

Mr Maisey: I hope the House will not agree to the course which the Prime Minister suggests, and 1 advise him not to move lo that effect.

Mr Massey _ asked whctlier Sir Joseph Ward would inform the House if it were a fact that the session was to como lo an end before Christmas. If that were to be the case, there could bo no objection lo the reljxalion of the rules to the oxtent decided upon by the Spaker, but if there was to be an autumn session, it would be unfair to relax any of the rules. The Pi'injo Minister should make a definite statement as to what business it was intended to put through, and when the session would come to an end.

The l'rimo Minister said that lio proposed to try to finish by the 23rd inst. It would depend entirely on the House. He could not be expected to outline exactly what was proposed lo be done. Ho did not want to take any new business after midnight, but it would facilitate business if that could be done. From what he could tee, it might bo ncccssary to sit in tho mornings after this week.

Mr Massev: Do you intend to go ou with the Land Bill?

Sir Joseph: I hope to tako it. Mr Massey: Between now and the 2ord: Sir Joseph: I hope to be able to do so.

Mr Massey: If you can't get through by Christmas what is the use of going to. all this trouble?

Sir Joseph. I want to do it if I can, and tlvc Opposition should assist, me to get on with the business. I don't want to ask the House to come back for any early session next year, but I believe that wo shall lisve to sit earlier next year than in previous years, I hope the Lancl Bill will be through before then.

Mr Massey: I would sooner we did a little business and did it well than that wo did a lot of business and did it badly. Sir Joseph: Those are senfimenU with which I heartily agree. It is a principle that we always follow but never talk about.

Mr Hirries inquired whether, in the event. of the House having lo sit after Christmas, the relaxation of the rules would continue. He was quite certain that the Land Bill could not be put through this session. If the House had to come back after Christmas he hoped that it would s.it under the usual rules.

The Speaker: The rules are being relaxed on the assumption that the House will adjourn before Christmas. If we have to come back, I take it that the old rules will again come into force.

Mr Massey (to Sir Joseph): I would like to know what passed in caucus as to what is to be done.

Sir Joseph: And I would like to know what happened at the Opposition caucus to-day.

Mr Masscy: Oh! Sir Joseph: I sometimes get to know. There was no further discussion on the subject.