POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 927, 21 September 1910, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

ALLECED BLOCKING OF BUSINESS. Strong exception was taken by, the Prime Minister last night to the fact that a long debate had. takon place on the Loan Bill. "The sensible members," ho said, "should agree to knock off this stupid rule that no new business can bo taken after 0.30 a.m. Members should make up their-; minds to adjourn'at 1 a.m. provided that a reasonable amount of business has been done." Mi. Massey: Always a proviso. Mr. Herries: Who is to be the judge? (Laughter.) In conclusion, Sir Joseph hinted-that an was being made to block business on the part of the: Opposition. (No, no.) It was not, however, going to stop the Government from getting on; with ;the business. .'.'This. idea of ono_ Bill one day and one class of the Estimates .one; nightj". he, added, "is only, likely' to produce a result like limiting: one child to one onion?' (Laughter.) ; ' '- THE BACKBLOCKERS' RECOMPENSE. Within, five or six years, stated Sir Joseph Ward yesterday, the Doininiou .would be so well roaded that only a comparatively small amount would' be required each year for roads. "Oh, let; it be'soon,", interjected: Mr. Jennings, whose constituency is; mostly backblocks. Sir Joseph , Ward . addeel that this was'.the justification for :the amount which wad now annu'ally being borrowed. • .'■■'..J:: - '~ A LISTLESS HOUSE. After the "big" speeches had taken place ,on, the . Loan Billv in the House last night, numbers-of members seemed !.to' take little interest in the. proceedings.,:, -After the supper, adjournment' (though, a Loan Bill for £1,750,000 was under consideration), the bell had to be rung for a quorum. When the Speaker had resumed his seat, Mr. Massey drew attention to the state of the House, and- ho. added, "especially the Government side of it.". On. looking at the Government benches, it was noticeable that not -a; single Minister nor private member, ; except the ; two Government Whips, was;present. .The'bell was rung, and a -quorum soon : arrived. : :;■ . A WANCANUI BILL. The committee 'on ' the Wanganui Church vAcre -Bill. yesterday repo-rted to" tlio House that it'had found the alleys-, tions of tho preamble proved to. : . its satisfaction. .The committee has made a number -of amendments. in the. : Bill, including one in Clause-; 4, ejcteiiding tho term, for which tho lands may bo leased, subject-.to the' 1 consent of. 'the General .and Diocesan . Synods.;' ii-An-amendment in; Clause 9 enlarges the power ...of ..rehurial ■of disinterred bodies. An amendment in' Clause'.l3 Empowers the .board:'to indemnify,itself for costs. MISPLACED OPTIMISM. ; "The principal optiniist of tiie Dominion sits on; the -Goyerhment- Treas-■ury-btinches,"-declared night.';" He' is ail optimist in'., connec- 1 'tion-with taoney matters; 'but I.will not say''.'in ■'' connection ' with . other, -thiiigs. I' would liko to seo him' more optimistic in connection with- land and; local' government reform and in connection with the; aniondment of tho Gaming Act. ;The Hon. gentleman, -judging;_by what, wo .-have-seen,...is '.not. an optimist where reform, is'required. If. he, was. a little more '; optimistic ; in . matters ; of reform' and' less; ,so in money matters it' avouH bp better, for. him and the; country.''; ' ESTATES UNDER OFFER, , ■ Eight - estates are under offer/ ;'to-''the i Government;, for' sale;/, under, the,' Land' ; for Settlements Act;,and the offers were, ■considered \by.': Cabinet' yesterday. - They word all .declined but one, which is still under consideration-.'•;Referring to;the matter ' in' _ the ■ House;. yesterday,' the Prime'iMiiiister stated that the Government considered it was being asked too much for land in various parts of New Zealand. .. ..< .