NO BUDGET DEBATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 9

NO BUDGET DEBATE.

UNPRECEDENTED POSITION

(Feoai Oue Own Cohhesfondekt.) WELLINGTON, June 20

Thcro was no tinaucial debate to-night. When the House met at 7.20 to start die financial debato on the second Budget of the National Government the Speaker pub the motion formally moved by Sir J. G. Ward —'"That I do now leave the chair in order that the House may go into Committee of Supply." As nobody rose to speak to the question (upon which members are entitled to speak for an hour) the Speaker simply declared the motion carried, and left the chair, while members gasped at the disappearance ot their chance.

It was understood that Mr Wilford was to have opened the debate, but ho was not in his place, and no one was prepared to fill his shoes on the spur of the moment, llns was a grievous' disappointment to .many members in all parrs of the House and a. totally unprecedented event in the circumstances, 'two years ago there was a similar absence of debate, partly owing to the declaration of war and partly owing to some umbrage which the then Opposition felt at the action of the Minister of Finance" in

bringing down the Financial Statement without alteration. From the # country's point of view to-night's happening is all to the good, as a clear fortnight of parliamentary time is saved, which may be devoted to clearing up work which would otherwise have had to be hurried over. The Labour members are particularly disappointed at the curious position, but, on the whole, members are disposed to make the best of the joke. The House immediately wont into Committee of Supply amidst a general chorus of laughter, which was renewed after a minute or two when the Hon. Mr Ngata humorously moved to report progress on the ground that he had been taken by surprise, and that they had made remarkable progress. - After 'the first item of the Legislative Department's vote (£1950, for the Legislative Council) had been carried in 23 minutes' time the House rose at live minutes to 3 amidst tremendous merriment.