PUBLIC WORKS VOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12383, 2 December 1909, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS VOTES.

STATEMENT; "ALL READY."

(Special to "Chronicle.")

(By Telegraph.)

-WELLINGTON, December 1. Mi- Massey'asked this, evening if the. Minister for Public Works would tell the House when ha proposed to bring down the Public Works Statement and Estimates. They wero within four months of tho end of the financial year and there was a very considerable opinion, not only in the House but also in the country, that what was taking place was not fair to one or the other.

The Minister (Hon. It. McKenzie) said he had no objection to giving the information if' Mr Massey would tell him when the ssssion was likely to end. Mr Massoy: That is for you to say. Mr McKenzie said it was usual for tht- most important business of tlie session to ba taken before the Public Works Statement came down. The consolidated, estimates had not yet been dealt with. Tlie statement was all ready and would bo brought down as soon as tho business would allow.

Mr Massey replied that he had been doing everything possible to facilitate business and the fact of the consolidated estimates not having been dealt with was due to gross mismanagement on the part of the Government itself. The Public Works Statement should have been laid before Parliament weeks ago. Tho Minister retorted that the delay in dealing with the- estimates and other important business was entirely due to the obstructive tactics of some members who had wasted, time that afterneon ?

"This afternoon was wasted purposely," replied Mr Massey, "by members of tho Government party to prevent any discussion taking place on answers to questions. This was denied by Mr Laurenson, who stated that a very important report—that dealing with water power regulations—had "been brought down by" a committee-, and which naturally demanded discussion.