ALL-NIGHT SITTING.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXI, Issue 2727, 5 December 1910, Page 2

ALL-NIGHT SITTING.

PUBLIC WORKS, VOTE PASSED.

MR POLAND IN HOT WATER

DISTRICT VOTE CANCELLED

[By Electric Telegraph.]

Wellington, December 3. All night was spent on the Public Works Estimates. Progress was blocked for three hours from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. by Messrs Poland and Ross. These two members moved numerous amendments, which had the result of delaying proceedings. Mr Anderson raised a point of order that both members were disobeying the standing orders by needless reiteration. The Chairman frequently called both members to order, and final1 )', after three wasted hours, the Hon. R. McKenzie moved : " That the House shows its resentment by striking out the vote of £200 placed on estimates tor work on the bridge road to Karangahake." This was agreed to on the voices. The Minister then moved as a further indication of resentment : " That the vote of £250 for the road from Hikutaia to Paeroa be struck off the Estimates." Mr Hogan said he did not sympathise at all with the two hon. members, but he thought it would be a pity to penalise the people of the district concerned because of the action of their representative. Mr Anderson said that members on both sides of the House resented the action of the two members in holdmg up the business for hours, but agreed with Mr Hogan that it would not be fair to penalise the people who wanted the money for this road.

Mr Poland said he had only been doing his duty. He had an emphatic protest against what had been done. The Minister had been asked a

sensible question on a matter affecting mining appropriations, and refused to answer. Mr Massey said it was a pity to punish members' constituents for the sins of members. He did not object to criticism, but these members had gone too far. Their action during the night would possibly mean carrying the session into next week. The House having shown its resentment in striking out the vote for a bridge road to Karangahake, he thought the matter had gone far enough. " Mr McKenzie said after the admonition ot the Leader of the Opposition, he would not go further. He had never seen a worse exhibition since entering the House. If these two members continued an aimless debate, and the House was willing, he would continue to move the striking out of votes in both members' electorates. (Hear, hear.) The Minister added that he had answered every question asked The obstruction started with classes in charge of the Hon. T. Mackenzie and Hon. D. Buddo before he came into the Chamber. Within ten minutes the remaining clauses of the Estimates had been disposed of.