LEGISLATION BY EXHAUSTION.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 81

LEGISLATION BY EXHAUSTION.

FURTHER PROTEST BY MR MASSE Y. GOVERNMENT FORCED TO COMPROMISE. fFflOlI OUB Ovyif COBSESPONDENT.) WELLINGTON, August 19. A further protest against the tendency of the Government ,to indulge in the practice of late sittings was made by Mr Massey during the consideration of the Estimates this morning. On the occasion of a tormer protest a, week or two ago the Leader of the Opposition had the satisfaction of inducing the Premier to climb down from the position which ho had taken up, and on this occasion also Mr Massey was successful to the extent of about a compromise. The first hint on the subject was given by Mr Massey at 25 minutes past 1. when he reminded the Premier of the time, and asked if he proposed to adjourn. Mr Seddon's reply was that he wanted to get some work done, and that it was necessary to go on if the promise to bring the Public Works Statement down by the end of the month was to be kept. j Mr Massey said he saw no reason why the Public Works Statement and Estimates could not be taken at the same time as the Consolidated Fund Estimate's. There hz,d been no obstruction so far, but he hoped the Premier would be reasonable. Mr Seddon said they must get on with the work if they wished to get away by the end of October. Mr Massey said he was prepared to sit there till November if it was necessary. Mr Seddon : Thea you would have to sit here alone. The House then went on with the business till 2 o'clock, at which time only some 25 or 30 members were in the Chamber. The Premier was not then in the House, and as Sir Joseph Ward intimated that he proposed to take another class (the Justice Department class having just been concluded), Mr Massey moved to report progress. Sir Joseph Ward : We are going on with the Post and Telegraph Department. Mr Masscy : No, we are not. Sir Joseph Ward : Then we will take the Railway Department. Mr Massey said that they were there to see that the public money was properly expended, and they should not go into an important class at 2 o'clock in the morning. He would rather stay a week longer. Mr Herriea pointed out that they had that night passed one of tho Government's policy measures in the form of the increases to the salaries Qf .magistrates. If that had been introduced as a bill the Government would have been well satisfied to get it passed in one night. Sir Joseph Ward : lam quite willing to take a vote of the House. Mr Herries : Oh, yes, because you know you ha\e a majority. Sir Joseph Ward said he would be willing to fix an afternoon for the special purpose of discussing the mail services. Mr Massey suggested that they should take a portion of the Postal and Telegraph Department, which he indicated. Sir J. G. Ward : Go on with the Railway Department. Mr Massey: That is more important still, and quite enough for a whole day and evening. I have nearly 100 miles of railway in my district, and I have a preat many grievances to speak about. Sir Joseph Ward : I thought you had had all your grievances redressed. Mr Massey : I have had- nothing redressed. Mr Hawkins : Perhaps you will redress them yourself next year. Mr Massey: I hope to have the opportunity. — (Laughter.) After some further remarks, in the course of which Mr Massey repeated his protest, Sir J. G. Ward suggested a compromise. The Premier, who had just entered the Chamber, joined in his colleague's proposal, saying that he desired to prevent a deadlock. It was then agreed to take part of the Postal and Telegraph Estimates. Thirtyfive minutes had been occupied in the foregoing discussion, and after another 20 minutes, during which the business agreed upon was transacted, progress was reported, and the House rose at 3 o'clock. During this short space of time votes totalling £142,973 were passed by a House of under 20 member? (or less than a quorum), and about half of those we>-o asleep, or sufiicicntly ad sauced toward;*

that blissful state to be entirely oblivious. to what was going on. Thus is the business of the country conducted

It came out in (he course of p\idence in a case hoard at Palmerston North last week that a fair charge for medical treatment in a had case of enteric be £50.