CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 532, 12 June 1909, Page 3

CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

BILL INTRODUCED BY MR. HERDMAN. DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. AMENDMENT MOVED BY THE OPPOSITION. VIGOROUS CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICY

Tho Legislative Council sat for two hours yesterday morning, and for half-an-hour in , the' afternoon, disposing of tho Address-in-Eoply. Tho Council then adjourned tDI '10.30 a.m. to-day. i Tho House of Representatives spent a long day, from 10.30, a.m. til] 11.30 p.m., discussing the question of Civil Service, reform, raised by Mr. Herdman's Bill, and the Address-in-Reply. Mr. Herdman tool; the rather unusual course of delivering a speech upon his Bill before it had been laid ' before,member's, but the Speaker ruled that . tho proceeding, though unusual, was not informal. Mr. Herdman made a vigorous speech- in support of Civil Service reform, and was replied to by the Prime Minister in a speech which lasted close on an hour. Pertinent remarks by Mr. Massey followed, and tho f Bill was read a first timo, after a - debate which occupied all tho morning. Mr. Fisher's' Sunday Labour Bill, and Mr. Sidey's I New Zealand -Time Bill .were also introduced and read a first time. , In the' afternoon, after the Address-m-Eeplyihad been moved by Mr. Forbes (Htirunui), and seconded by Mr. E. H. Taylor (Thames), an amendment was moved by Mr. Massey to strike out a clause expressing ap- ■ proval of'an early prorogation. Mr. Massey ' spoke in his best stylo on the amendment, hi? racy characterisation of tho new Ministers being • much enjoyed. Mr. Hardy, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Mr. J. Allen, and Mr. Wilford took part in tho debate I which .followed. In tbo evening, tho Prime Min- ■ ister spoke for a full hour on the amendment, nnd several other members,expressed their views. Tho debate will bo continued this morning by Mr. Buick.