THE CLOTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2323, 8 September 1898, Page 25

THE CLOTURE.

Not content with giving Ministers the right to insert maps in Hansard, a privilege which is denied to their opponents, the* Ministerial journal, in an. apparently inspired article, threatens that steps may be taken to put an end to all unpalatable criticism of the Government policy by the application of the cloture. The Opposition are very sore just now over the map incident, and the slightest movement in the direction of a further curtailment of free speech would probably create one of the bitterest political struggles in the history of the Parliament of New Zealand. After accusing the Opposition, most vinfairly, of obstruction (all criticism is called obstruction in Ministerial quarters), the article referred to proceeds : — " These tactics have been pursued so often that their exponents are in danger of achieving the fate of vaulting ambition. They will prejudice themselves in the constituencies' mind, so far as it is possible for such a discredited party of weak, though talkative, men to do so. They will incite the application of the cloture. The time is coming, and the Opposition is forcing it, when the question ' that the hon. member be no longer heard ' should be a frequent one." THE HON. J. M'KENZIE. Tbe Hon. John M'Kensrie, the Minister for Lands, is still confined to his rooms, but yesterday was much easier. He is suffering from I a kidney complaint, which troubled him a I great deal last session.