A COLLAPSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11730, 21 June 1916, Page 3

A COLLAPSE.

NO FINANCIAL DEEATL STRANGE TREATMENT OF THE WAR BUDGET. EVERYBODY ASTONISHED. [Fuom Oun Coruf.spondent.] WELLINGTON, June 20. A situation unique in parliamentary history occurred in tbo House to-night, when the National Cabinet s War Budget came up for discussion. Hie Fineinl debate usually lasts at least n fortnight, but the Prime Minister a few days ago committed himself to .an optimistic forecast that tho talk would last ten days. Nobody suspected when tho House met at "-30 to-night, to commence the debate, that this stage would lie over in a low seconds. The following stage, tho passing of the first item on the Estimates, 'took twenty minutes, "though ifc lias often occup.ed three days, i'he most moderate estimate of the saving in Parliament's timo is a fortnight. The position was not planned, it arose out, of a curious combination of circumstances, in which members' diffident modesty and the .Labour Party fit {Hiding on its'dignity play prominent parts. Pride of place in starting the debate always is given to the leader of the Opposition. In tho days of the National -Ministry there' is no leader of the Oppositioii, but Mr Wilford, who sits in his place, is tacitly accepted as chief critic. Mr Wilford happened to be in Nelson on business; thus tho delicate question arose who would lead off. A representative of the Times" made a tour of the whips' rooms just before the House met to ascertain who were likely speakers, and several members gave an assurance that they would be "" going" as soon as the debate started. There was an impression that Mr Witty intended leading, but the member for Iticcarton liad 110 such intention, though most of his,colleagues took it for granted. He left his speech notes in the library, like most other members, though ho declared ho had a shrewd suspicion and gave warning of the prospect of an unusual development. Mr Speaker took tho chair at 7.30, tho question being: That the House go into committee on the- Estimates. Crowded siallerics showed how the public anticioated big gun firing all tho evening, but the only voice "heard was Mr Sneaker's. Ho put the question, called for "ayes" and " noes," declared the motion carried and the House in committeo. AN ASTONISHED HOUSE. Evervone looked aghast because of the unprecedented situation. Then laughter showed the relief of the House at a gigantic " let off." Curious eyes turned to the Labour benches, but no Labour members wero there. Mr M'Combs, . who was in the Chamber when the question was put, got to his srat a few seconds* too late. He and his colleagues explained' aftenvard. that they.had no intention of opening the discuss'on, as last session they applied for this privilege, _ being the one recognisad Opposition in Parliament, but were refused. . Mr Malcolm took the committee chair, and lembers began to consider the Estimates, quite a nominal consideration, as the place buzzed with small talk and jnuftled laughter. Mr Witty valiantly kept the discussion going on the first item while members collected their scattered wits. The debate never wandered beyond two points raised by Mr Witty and Air Anderson. DOUBLE EDGED CONGRATULATIONS. Tho Hou A. T. Ngata next roso and moved to report progress, remarking with a broad smile, that there were soma excellent reasons for so doing. "Tho first reason," ho suggested, to the accompaniment of a pea! of laughter, is that the Ministry have been taken by surprise. Tbo fact that the' Estimates have been handed round in such a hurried way is sufficient evidence that the Ministry has been taken completely by surprise by the miast-prlv silence on this side of the House (Renewed merriment.) Tho second reason ior- reporting progress is that wo have made remarkable progress, such progress as, I think, constitutes an easy record. No such progress lias ever, "been made as we have made this, evening. The whole .House is palpably surprised at having saved itself a fortnight's hard work." The member for the Eastern Maori electorate proceeded in the fame gently cynical and humorous vein lo congratulate the Government on such sudden and complete progress, and to congratulate members on their access of silence. "Something has evidently happened,'' Jio said, "probably the declaration ot war by Mexico, for this lemarKable abstention from the airing or eloquence." (Roars of laughter.) Tne Hon .D. S. Mac Donald. Miniser in charge of the Legislative .Department, which comprised the first laughingly remarked that he quite understood members desire to go.home, considering there were many guns loaded for tin's particular or-ca.vion, and they had missed fire, bur before they reported progress they must make some progress. Mr Witty: We have made very good progress. (Laughter.) f The Prime Minister: Take the first item and' then go home. Mr Ngata's motion then was allowed to drop. The first item. Legislative Department. passed almost immediately, and tho House rose at ".5o p.m. COMPLIMENT TO GOVERNMENT. [From Ovu Cokhespo:n"de>-t.'J WELL LING TO a, June 20. I think this is a- great, compliment to the National Government,"' declared the Prime 3liui»ter t.'i a representaive o r tho " Lyttoiton Times.'' "It has never happened before- in my time. It is not only the passing of the I'inancial Svater.tcnt but-an Imprest Supply Bill and the first item of the Estimates. It is a big c-aving of time and the country's money. Everyone can say what he really requires to say when legislation comes donn on the taxation proposals." The Hon W. Frnser, n veteran of Parliament., declared that ho could not remember a prec'dent lor so remarkable n i ime-saving inuovntirVi. IS IT A COMPLIMENT? AWKWARD POSITION FOR GOVERNMENT. ALL-ROUND EM RARRASSM EXT. Tho novelty, the staring surprise, the (ivoll illustration of the impossible, carried the whole House. Ministry and members, along au intoxicating current or merriment,"but- when the froth had br-en blown off this glass of laughter it bewail to be realised by both House ■ivd Government that Mich lightninglike. progress had its embarrassments. The House had not been up many uj:dhefora muttering and perturbations w ere noticed among knots of letris--1,1 tor-, exchanging notions, it eoon bees no evident x-hct. mora genuine disappointment pervaded the atmosphere than t-lao general apearance of hilarity would U-acl a casual onlooker to believe. Mcro than a majority of members were inwarc'iy bursting to voice rbcniseives on tbr> Budget, but eiroum■•lai.'e..' robbed ili-T!! temporarily of their trr.hy. In brut, <•ireurn-tar.ee took upon itself three lalse laces, i'irstiv. the inx'wiiij.>i , I,:ibour »'t'iion

had decided to withhold their fire till the debate had developed ; secondly, the Liberal section, from whom the early speakers were confidently expected to bo drawn, were all feeling mod'estlv reticent in the absence of Mr Wil ford, who has of late taken upon himself the position of first spokesman: while the third is perhaps ihe most magnificent face. A larpe body of members, composed of botli main parties, --ire in a .state of hot resentment. Although trothing over with a desire to speak their minds with candour to all whom it may concern, they were resolved to ■ li t donrlv silent in the determination not to crive the National Government a load. A fourth contributing cause was doubtless the' general unreadiness of members to jump into what was clearly a broach of the I'arlinuientarv programme. So far as the Minisirv is concerned the collapse can bo confidently announced as havina been received with flunk, and. in manv respects, unwelcome astonishment. It, does not reouire a event deal of perspieuiiv to discern that the Government would have much rather have been eiven o load for its subsequent legislate ore,i.vsals in (he shape of a good healthy debate on the Financial Statement. With the utter collapse of that debate it remain*, absolutely in the dark as to the real sentiments of members towards the Dolicv outlined in +he Budget, and must set about framing the taxing ervl other n ensures entirely off its own hat. so to soenl*. In truth such nrnr'ess W its err barrn?.?,merits, for while ■•■ he is now mr. fronted with - **«. V ''rfiniteh- more delicate than would otherwise, have been tli>" v ease (lie public eye appear in the dubious position of eiK.lor.SUl;i the MllvliLel with -ucli \yholelio:medn»v> :•- be ti-Tf-t't ut auv words with which io criticise il-