PARLIAMENTRY PROCEEDINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2842, 2 September 1908, Page 88

PARLIAMENTRY PROCEEDINGS.

MEMBERS' LACK OF INTEREST. WELLINGTON, August 30. A stranger to New Zealand, had he been present in the House of Bfepr-esentatives 'during the- early hours of yesterday niorning*, would doubtless have been greatly puzzled on being. informed that the subject fchat was then, being discussed by about half a dozen speakers in the presence of one-quarter of the total members of the House, was tlie important question of the defences of the Dominion. The total vote- of the department, amounting to £214<,470, was " put through " in slightly over two hours by "a House " that averaged a baue^ quorum of 20 members, the manbex being at times two or three' more; and at other times one x or , two less than the score. A count made I at half-past 12 during the speech of Mr Jas. Allan showed that there were then 18 members in the- chamber, including the chairman of committees and three Ministers. A great many of the- members were half asleep, and evidently paying little or no attention to the- remarks' of the speakers. At 1 o'clock there were 20 members present, and half an hour later there were 25 (ont of a House of 80), but this number soon dwindled down again j to the quorum border line. In such manner 1 does ParHameat, the fountain head of ' authority and power in the Dominion, transact its business, and carry out the principles of " Government of the people. , by the people, and for the people!"