Parliament.

Opunake Times, Volume XXX, Issue 1678, 11 October 1910, Page 3

Parliament.

. SOME TILTING. “Ik is a most disgrace!nl way of doing business," declared Mr Massey at 3 a.in. “There is not the slightest doubt about that We have done really gopd work.- There has been no protracted discussion and no obstruction." Mr Massey asked if the Prime Minister wanted the committees to sit ?in the-morning, “Up to the present Ido," said Sir Joseph Ward. ,• - Mr Massey said that if the Premier would not be reasonable it would be a case of who -would last longest. It was reminiscent of the bid old days which had shortened the lives of some of the best men in the colony. It was impossible .to do justice to the business of the country at that hour. The Premier said that up to that hour of the session he had tried to keep early hours, with the result that the Opposition had talked measures out till 080 a.m., after which fresh business could not be brought on. . Mr Hardy (Selwyn) said the greatest waster of time was the Premier. Mr J. Allen (Bruce) used the Prime Minister’s mood as an argument in favor of adjourning,He said that at that hour'in the morning the Premier was anxious to get the Bill through, and would not accept any amendments. That did not make for good legislation. - Mr Fisher (Wellington Central) asked the Premier at what stage he intended to adjourn. - ' “When reasonable progress his been made," replied the Premier, and although pressed to define “reasonable progress,” he refused to commit himself further. Mr Massey evidently thought the gauntlet bad been thrown down. "I am out for a fight if the leader on the other side is out for a fight," he exclaimed. “That is a threat," said the Hon. R. McKenzie. Mr Massey said that no self-respect-ing set of men could stand what they were supposed to submit to. What Was going on was a perfect scandal. The Opposition was not going to tolerate legislation by exhaustion, and if they were going to.have a trial of strength, wdl, he was willing. A conflict bad been avoided in previous sessions. He was sorry it had come, but he could probably take his share in it as well as other members. Sir Joseph Ward said he was not delaying business, but Mr Massey and his friends were. He had necessarily to speak in reply to what came from the other side of the Hojiae. Mr Massey ; It has become a disease with you. The Premier: Then I must have taken it from the hon. gentleman. Sir Joseph then suggested that the House should go down to clause 8 on the supplementary order paper, which, he said, really meant passing four non contentious clauses. Mr Massey ; Do you propose to adjourn for breakfast then ? (Loud laughter.) £: There disputes as to whether particular members were asleep or not, and on one occasion even the Prime Minister’s wakefulness was challenged, ' At 7SOa m. a motion to report progress was lost by 80 votes to 18, but at 8- 5. a. m. the House adjourned for breakfast, and on resuming the Bill was proceeded with.

GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE. Mr- flerdman said the Governor's residence has been a muddle from begioing to end. It was not worthy of a rrpresentative of the King. It looked like a glorified grain store. He believed that thousands of pounds had been deliberately wasted in connection with the delay in erecting the new Parliament buildings. Mr Herries’ amendment was negatived on the voices. Mr Taylor (Christchurch) moved that the item of £I6OB salaries of draughtsmen be reduced by £1 as an indication that the committee was of opinion that no public buildings similar to those being erected at Christchurch should be entrusted to a private architect, except as a result of competition. The motion was affirmed by 89 votes to 25, and the item was reduced accordingly.