MINISTER IN DIFFICULTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3006, 25 October 1911, Page 31

MINISTER IN DIFFICULTY.

NEARLY LOSES HIS BILL. QTbom Oua Own CorniEsroNDjiirr.) WELLINGTON, October 13. Parliament of late years has occasionally got info a rather slipshod way of doing its business. An instance of this occurred in the House of Representatives this evening, when the Christchurch District Drainage Act Amendment Bill came up. The Hon. Mr Buddo, who had charge of the bill, was proceeding to move its second reading when Mr Jas. Allen asked if the bill was not a local bill.

Mr Buddo argued that it was a public bill, but the Speaker overruled his contention. Mr Buddo then moved that the Standing Orders be suspended in order to allow the bill to proceed. He said all the local bodies were agreed as to the bill, which was the result of a commission that took evidence.

Mr Allen said the position taken up was not a fair one, because such bills should be advertised, so that the public should know all about them.

Mr Buddo 6aid the position of the bill might be taken to be a reflection upon himself. He thought the hill should be allowed to proceed as all the local bodies were agreed upon it. Mr Herriee said this was the second time Mr Buddo had had a bill thrown out by the Speaker's decision, and now he had again to take the indulgence of the House to let the bill proceed. Even a tyro in politics should know that this was a local bill. It was a case either of carelessness or ignorance on the part of the Minister. They were being continually asked to cover up the carelessness of the Ministry. In the old days it was not like that. They had to know the Standing Orders, but now the Ministry did not care anything about the Standing Orders or the forms of the House. They covered up their want of knowledge by asking that the Standing Orders be suspended. Sir Joseph Ward complained of the peevishness, pettiness, and smallness of the member for Brace in objecting to this bill. It was too silly for words to sit in the House and listen to Messrs Allen and Herries. It gave an indication of the incapability of these gentlemen.— (Laughter.) Mr Allen : The incapacity is on your side.

After some further talk the House permitted the Standing Orders to be suspended, and the bill was read a second time.