PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2697, 30 December 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

AN APPROPRIATION BILL. TPitn Pricss Association.! WELLINGTON, Dec. 29. The Council met in the evening, passed the Appropriation Bill, received from the House, through all its stages, and finally adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AN ALL-NIGHT SITTING. After 12 o’clock on Tuesday, the discussion was continued by Messrs Herdman, Herries, and others. Mr. Anderson moved to report progress, and this Avas discussed till after 2 a.m., Avlien the motion Avas negatived on a division. A HEATED DISCUSSION—MESSRS MASSEY AND T. E. TAYLOR. Mir. T. E. Taylor described the proceedings as an exhibition of idiocy. Mr. Massey called tho Chairman’s attention to these remarks, and Mr. Taylor Avas called upon to withdraw them, Avhich he did. He then said that chagrin Avas the explanation of the stonewall. Mr. Massey had made, a mistake, and his methods Avere like those of a cloAvn. He (Mr Taylor) could understand a fight when the issue Avas a real one, but this Avas the extreme of nonsense. " On being asked to withdraAV the objectionable language, Mr. Taylor said he did not knoAV A\"hat objectionable language Avas referred to, but he wouldwithdraAV it. On proceeding Mr. Taylor referred to the action of members in stoneAvalling as mulish- and stubborn, and Avas again called to order for not dealing Avith the subject of debate. Mr. Massey replied to Mr. Taylor’s speech, and came into conflict Avitli the Chairman, but concluded by saying that the House had more abusive tactics and less dignity from Mr. Taylor than any other member. A division taken on the motion that the £4OO be reduced by £394 resulted in its rejection by 37 to 9. On Mr. Rhodes moving to report progress, Mr. Taylor again attacked the position tactics, and said that nine members had been keeping the AvholeHouse going. The proceedings Avould be a disgrace to any Borough Council in New Zealand, tie dreaded an amendment of the Standing Orders as the result of this debate, an amendment Avhich AA'ould mean the curtailment of members’ freedom. Mr. Massey referred to Mr. Taylor’s Ishmael-like characteristics, and said that the member for • Christchurch North Avas the most unpopular man Parliament had seen. This statement Avas met by cries of “No” from the Government side. Mr. Massey continued his attack on Mr. Taylor, and concluded by saying that he Avas quite prepared to go on till Friday Avith the stoneAvall. Mr. Taylor replied to the personal charges made against him by Mr. Massey, and claimed that he had done some good Avork in Parliament in supporting the old age pensions, national endoAvments, and labor legislation. Mr. Massey, referring to Mr. Taylor’s remarks as to former leadership, said that the new Liberal party and the charges made by it against the late Mr. Seddon had been responsible for the Opposition’s set-back some years ago. Sir W. J. Steward suggested t-o Mr. Massey that, as he had no hope of succeeding in getting the House to reduce the vote, he should be content with having endeavored to do so. A POINT OF ORDER, Tlie Chairman’s ruling, under AA;hich the discussion Avas taking place, Avas questioned by Mr. Hogan, and on the motion of Sir Joseph Ward, it Avas agreed to report progress in order that the Speaker’s ruling might he obtained. Sir Joseph Ward gave notice that Standing Order 448 be- amended so as to prevent a repetition of such a “stoneAvall” as Avas going on at present. He said that if the House Avere sitting for four days longer, he Avould bring the matter before the House. The Speaker ruled that the reduction of the vote must be by a substantial and not a trifling amount, and that Avhere a custom or usage of the House existed, the procedure of the House of Commons Avas not observed. As the motion Avas to reduce the vote by a very substantial sum he ruled that the procedure Avas in order.

The House went into committee again, and the stonewall continued until 7.35 a.m., when the committee adjourned until 2.30 p.m.

THE STONEWALL ABANDONED. When the House resumed at 2.30 p.m. to-day, Mr. Massey asked if the Premier intended to make any statement. *

The Premie 4 repeated his former statement that he Avould keep the position clear until 30th June next, Avlien the House could, decide the matter.

Mr. Massey asked if that meant that, in the e\’ent of the House deciding against the position, Mr. ReeA r es AA’ould be given three months’ notice. The Premier said that six months’ notice Avas required. He Avould leave the Avhole position open for revieiv by the House before the 30th June next.

Mr. Massey: “That- is the first straightforward unqualified statement AA’e’ve had.”

This was denied by a number of Government supporters, who said it had been several time s plainly stated during the debate. Mr Massey declared that not a single member in the House had known what time it was to be reintrodced, or that it was to be placed on the Supplementary Estimates. _ The Premier said it was well known to the majority of the House that this vote would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates. Mr. Massey then moved that the item £4OO be reduced by £l, a s an indication that there will be no committal after 30th June next.

This was lost by 38 to 27. The following is the division list: Ayes* (27): Allen, Anderson, Buchanan, Clark, Dive, J. Duncan, Fraser, Guthrie, Hardy, Herdman, Herries, Lang, Luke, McLaren, Malcolm, Mander, Massey, Newman, Noswortliy, Okey, Pearce, Phillips, Poole, Rhodes, Scott ■ G. M. Thomson, Wright. Noes (38): Arnold, Brown, Buddo, Buxton, Carroll, Craigie, Dillon, T. Duncan, Ell, Field, Forbes, Fowlds, Graham, Greenslade, ITa'll, Hanan, Hogan, Jennings, Lawry, Laurenson, MacDonald, 11. McKenzie, T. Mackenzie, Millar, Ngata, Parata, Poland, Reed, Ross, Seddon, Sidey, Smith, Stallworthy, Steward, E. H. Taylor, T. E. Taylor, J. C. Thompson, Sir Joseph Ward. . Pairs—Ayes: Bollard, Fisher, Buick. Noes: Colvin, Te Rangihiroa, Russell. The Chairman then put the question that the vote be agreed to, and the item passed on the voices.

The Committee then proceeded to deal with the rest of the Estimates. THE HOUSING OF PARLIAMENT.

On the public buildings vote, Mr. Herd man asked what 'thd 'Goweriyment’s intentions in regard to the future housing of Parliament were. The Hon. R. McKenzie said the question of the capital of the Dominion had not yet been settled. It would be premature for him to state now what the future intentions were.

Mr. Herdman expressed disappointment at the Minister’s answer, and said the House ought to be informed if the Government had formulated any scheme for the erection of permanent Parliamentary buildings. The Hon. It. McKenzie considered the present accommodation would be good enough for ten years, with certain necessary alterations, which he would have carried out during the recess. THE WEBSTER CLAIM. On the item “miscellaneous services” Mr. Massey, referring to the item of £450 for the Solicitor-General’s expenses to London, asked if this had to do with the Webster claims, and if Sir Joseph Ward could inform the House how the matter stood. The Prime Minister said he could not divulge what had been done in this direction. Mr. Massey said he hoped that at an early stage of next session the papers dealing with this claim would be laid before the House. HAURAKI PLAINS.

On the lands and survey vote, £20,381, Mr. Poland raised the question of lands being opened on Hauraki Plains (Piako swamp), and contended that this should be cut up into areas not exceeding 100 acres each. The land was well fitted for settlement in small areas. . The Premier promised he Would look into the matter, but the areas would not exceed 300 acres.

The Supplementary Estimate s were passed before the House adjourned at 6 p.m.

APPROPRIATION BILL

On resuming at 7.30 p.in., an Appropriation Bill was introduced by Governor’s message. On the second reading Mr. Allen asked for information re clauses 18 and 19, dealing with irrigation and supply, and empowering the raising of £IOO,000 for promoting settlement in arid territory.

The Premier, in reply, said that clause 19 repealed part of a clause in the Appropriation Bill, and was intended to provide for irrigation in places where it was required. Clause 26 provided that the provision of the Legislature Act, 1908, should not apply to payments to members of the House who sat on the Timber Commission. The House went into committee on the Bill.

Mr. Herries objected to clause 26, which he held to be a bad precedent in that- it granted power to the Ministry to remunerate a member for services on a commission, without limitation. It was a dangerous power to be vested in any Ministry. Sir Joseph Ward that the Timber Commission was one which it was necessary to have members of Parilament upon. The whole report was a good one.

Mr. Massey said he would not oppose the clause, but any such clause inserted in any future Appropriation Bill would be resisted to the utmost.

The Bill was put through all stages and passed.

A NOTICE OF MOTION

Mr. Hogan gave notice of motion that on next sitting day he would move that the House disagree with the ruling of the Speaker in regard to the method adopted in connection with tne £4OO vote on the Supplementary Estimates, for the financial adviser in London. CLOSE OF THE SESSION.

Sir Joseph Ward made the usual felicitious speech on the closing of the session. Mr. Massey endorsed the remarks of the' Premier. The Speaker returned thank s for the congratulations of the House; and said he believed this was the first time he had not had the pleasure of wishing members a Merry Christmas at the close of the session. Mr. Wilford, Chairman of Committees, also returned thanks.