BEATING UP A QUORUM.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12581, 30 September 1908, Page 6

BEATING UP A QUORUM.

WELLINGTON, September 29. In the early hour* of tbis morning the Government were anxious to pass the first item of the Public Works Estimates. At times during the discussion there was less than a quorum, present, which means that over 60 out of 8(£ of people's representatives were conspicuous by their absence. The Opposition moved to report progress, and thi3 was oifly lost by 17 to 10. 53 members were absent.

Mr Massey drew attention to the serious nature of the position, for he said the Opposition had only to leave the Chamber and business wotlld como to a. standstill. This situation beared the Government whips considerably, and they sent messengers posti haste to beat up a few extra Government supporters to make a quorum. Their tactics proved a little hard on one innocent Wellington -citizen. It was between two and three o'clock in the morning. Suddenly there canie a- loud knocking at his doorf and a violent ringing of the bell, which woke up the whole household. The owner of the house, in his pyjamas, hurrie&tly went downstairs^ and on opening the door was faced by a panting messenger, who informed him that Mr Arnold was wanted in the House. Immediately the citizen, gulped a.lij/tle> and uttering a morning prayer/Jretarned^ to bed. After all it seesm. there was no great reason, for .the fuss. fhe. Government ■whips nad omifetejd to notice that two of their flock had followed the Leader of the Opposition into^ the lobby, . so with the Speaker they ha^J* quorum present.