THEN AND NOW.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 968, 8 November 1910, Page 5

THEN AND NOW.

MB. ELL'S CHANGE OF FRONT.

During the sitting; of {the . House of Representatives .last night the Senior Government Whip (Mr. Ell) found himself •m a somewhat awkward position. The ..Leader of the Opposition tad moved to recommit the Public Revenues Bill with a'..view to deleting the clause which some years. back enabled the House to perpetrate the famous "forty" pounds steal;. ' Mr. Massey's motion was only lost by eight votes,; and amongst those who voted against'the proposal was Mr. .EIL ./ - ._ . ; . . :

■ Subsequently, Mr. Anderson, the member for Mataura, "roasted" Mr. Ellon ■his, change of front'since- 1901.. Mr. An- , derson .quoted from a speech delivered -.by Mr. Ell in which he had said the law' ■ was the most mischievous and dangerous that had ever, been put upon the Statute Book..- (Laughter.) It enabled the Premier to increa.se the salary. of : a judge and was paving the way to corruption. Mr. EU, added Mr. Anderson, . was amongst the 16 who voted • against ™ measure in 1900. Ho was not amongst ■_the.26'.who voted against it in 1910. Mr. Anderson- also pointed out that Mr. Laurenson was.another member of the Government • party ,who in 1901 had declared that the Bill was a vicious Bill. ' Mr..: Ell, in reply, eaid he had,changed his.opmion. .He added that if he had the experience and.'. knowledge ■ he now had he. never would, have ..voted as he did m,1900.. Instead of .going back he claimed- that he had- gone forward. (Laughter.) -~... V.Mr.- Massey also . taunted Mr. : Ell with a complete change of front in this matter.- . •■ .-■.•■•■■ -■.. ■ .■■■. -.. Mr. EU:.Don't get angry, and nasty about it. .. . . . • .-. • .Mr. .Massey said Mr. Ell was now Government Whip, and possibly would bothe next Minister. The possibility of becoming a Minister covered a multitudo of sins. ■ ' V Stall-n-orthj- regretted the mention of Mr. Laurenson's name, during- his absence on public business. ..(Laughter.) Hon. member: He's at the Derby. (More laughter.) . "■ .' Another member: Don't put ySur foot in it. ■■•. ■■■-■■ •■■•■ - ..:•- '■ . : -. Sir Joseph" Ward, in reply, said the clause was, necessary for, the increased payments to railway servants and others, ihe clause -had not been used improperly in all these years... ■■'■.-■. .