THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7232, 19 October 1901, Page 5

THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

INCIDENTS OF THE DEBATE. . [From Our Correspondent ] Wellington, Oct. 19. The debate on the resolutions raged agarin nil yesterday, but the^ interest was not in the House but in the lobbies, where the cards "were being pricked. On. Thursday night the pricking gave ;i majority against San Francisco. Yesterday the morning broke cold for San Francisco, but as the day wore on the- faces of the .supporters of the service grew ,1, shads less Jong. By dinner time they had brcader.sd into a look of safety, and by snppev the* statement was received wdbh agreement all I'ound that San Francisco would have a majority. Mr Napier is reported to ; l>e thinking that the '"mailed fist" did it, others declaring that this tremendous weapon is responsible Joy the two days doubt, and that the change is dn-8 to the conciliatory- speech and personal popularity of Mr Massey, and in a. degree to Mr Fowlds. This, of course, is lobby gossip only, &o far as the "deus ex I machina " is concerned, but it is certain that the "mailed fist" did not produce the j favourable result. I After supper t>he pricking veers, and we learn, that cno man lias gone over. The pricking, stands at a tie, and the excitement is imraer.se. The House gets into committee on the voices. Is it plain that both sides fear the tug-of-war? Not necessarily, for the House must go into committee on tbe mail proposals. At the outset the discussion gets into ancient history, which isa sign. that ths issue is doubtful. The mmendhifcnt of Mr Millar is before the committee.. It proposes to strike out San Francisco. The Premier makes a dignified, earnest pronouncement in favour of San Francisco as. the best thing at present, from a business point of view. Mr M'Guire says 4 few words, which the house dees not take seriously. There ara cries of " Divide," half a dozen members jump up, there is a choiuis of remonstrance, and 1 the Chairman smartly.. puts tho question. Then division. "Majority for San .Francisco, seven. Snn Francisco breathes, and the excitement is over. Than a strange tihing happened. Mr Millar carried an amendment to strike out "Three years" from, the term by a nitjority of eight. The men who went uv-rr for Sam Francisco went back on this time j proposal. Mr Millar followed his victory by moving , the substitution of " One '" for the g'truck-out ' three. Sir Joseph Ward then proposed to split the difference, and wjm met by cries of "No. :> When he sat down there was a curious chorus of "divide." Mr Fisher gets up, the roar vi?es round t Mm, lie '.exerts his big voice. "If I hit' down will you vote?' Roars of " Yes," mid he sits down. Captain Russell rises. The House howls like a famished menagerie. The Captain cannot get h hearing. it is tiis first time I have sesn a member refused a hearing. The Captain stands his ground. The Chairman remonstrate*, and he gets v hearing, and talks turbines for two minutes. . Waihemo tiirns it against him for on© minute. The. Premier tries to steady the House for the two years, pleads to it to hear reason. The House takes the bit in its teeth, and pulls up in the lobbies, a-nd the one year is carried by 33 to 30. Sir Joseph Ward proposes .to add " six months " after the year, poin ting out the impossibility of the position; better have sat on tine service. Discussion ensues, but it s?ts against the extension.