GOVERNMENT MEMBERS KEEPING THE DEBATE GOING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3457, 23 February 1912, Page 5

GOVERNMENT MEMBERS KEEPING THE DEBATE GOING.

REFORM PARTY WEARYING FOR A DIVISION. TWO GREAT SURPRISES YESTERDAY. UGLY RUMORS ALSO AS TO OFFERS OF MONEY. FURTHER MEETINGS TO INFLUENCE THE “ DOUBTFULS.”

From our Parliame One of the main characteristics of the political situation is the tense excitement that prevails. The strain upon the principal actors in it and also upon those whose votes are regarded as doubtful must be very great. There Is no change in the position, and there is still every indication that the Reform Party will win by four votes. So far as can he ascertained there is only one member who is at all likely to break his pledges to his constituents. Messrs. Veit-ch, Robertson and Atmore cannot possibly vote for a Government that they have so utterly condemned in their platform speeches. Indeed, I would not be at all surprised to find even Mr Hindmarsh condemning tlie _ Government policy, or some phases of it, in unmeasured terms. The debate is being unnecessarily prolonged by the Government in the hope of influencing the votes of Messrs Atmore and Robertson, but more particularly the latter. The waste of time this afternoon over formal business about which no one cares a dump just- now was most noticeable. The Opposition were ready and willing to take a Division, but not so the Government. The Opposition did not bother to put up a speaker to reply to Mr Russell, who spoke last evening, so Mr. Sidey followed him, and Mr MacDonald, the Government Junior Whip, followed Mr Sidey. Tims, before the short afternoon sitting was over, we had three Government sneakers in succession. The public and members themselves are already tired of the debate and of the suspense that is being so long drawn out, but the Government party must needs keep it going in the forlorn hope that by some means or other their scheming will influence a couple of votes, which at the best would give them but a barren victory on the casting vote of the Speaker.

ntary Correspondent. WELLINGTON, Feb- 22. In an extraordinary speech he smote the Liberal Government hip and thigh, and praised Mr. Massey for his splendid work- At the same time he, unlike Mr. Payne, Lad given no pledges. Having staggered the House with his denunciation of Wardism and of his condemnation of Mr. Millar, he calmly announced that on this occasion ho would vote with Sir Joseph Ward. He would give him a fortnight to carry out his programme—a statement that created much laughter. During the rest of his speech Mr. Hindmarsh had the House in fits of laughter. He proved to be a most unconventional speaker. After all these fireworks Mr. Vigor Brown came on the scene as a veritable rush-light. Mr. Brown wanted to stop at 11, but Mr Massey urged that they should come to a finisi). The country, lie said, was getting very dissatisfied with what was taking place. Sir Joseph Ward said it was understood that they were to stop every evening at one o’clock. The Speaker said that no resolution had been passed by the House, but Mr. Brown could risk moving the adjournment.

Mr- Brown, however, elected to go on with his speech.