A NARROW SHAVE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12584, 3 October 1908, Page 7

A NARROW SHAVE.

TWO MEMBERS TO DISCUSS AN ITEM of jeyuu.ooo. WHERE WERE THE REST? rFroin Our Parliamentary Special. — By relegraph). WELLIi^G'ION, October 2. When the Committee of Supply resumed at 7.30 p.m., the Chairman of Committees (Mr R. McKenzie) made a brave attempt to g^t tlie railway vote through without further discussion. It was in this wise. Besides the Chairman, tne only other member iv the Chamber was the Hon. Mr Guinness. The Chair, man, with aa activity loreign to his usual demeanour, began in a hurried monotone, "The Committoe has resumed. The question is that a sum of money, not exceediujj ,£900,000, be votsd to his Majesty for railway construction. As many as are of that opinion will say But Mr Guinness forestalled the rest of the sentence. "I call your attention to the state ot the House, sir," he vociferated in crescendo. The Chairman (not having, it seemed, heard him at first)— "There is not a quorum. Ring tlie bell!" (sorrowfully). The bell was rung, aud two or three seconds brought the quorum. Mr Guinness continued the debate with a vigorous speech in the interests of his constituents, and the others carried the debate on wearily. i