THE PARTY SYSTEM.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1214, 24 August 1911, Page 6

THE PARTY SYSTEM.

WARM ATTACK BY MR. FISUER. • VAPOURING CONDEMNED. The party machine was visibly at work in Parliament last evening in ono of its !e«s dignified manifestations. Impelled, perhaps, by a desire-to keep back the Hereditary Titles Prevention Bill, members on the Government side of the House dragged out the discussion of the Land Agents Registration Bill to its utmost limits, a fact which was frankly recognised by the mfcioducer of that measure (.Mr. Uitty). Just before eleven o'clock the "discussion" collapsed. Mr. Newman immediately moved that the "second reading of the Hereditary Titles Prevention Bill bo postponed fora week in view of the absence ot the Prime Minister." This course being agreed to, Mr. 1 , . M. B. Fisher found the way open for a vigorous attack upon the party system, as it had operated that evening,"and he launched forthwith. The member for Wellington Central said the opportunity of discussing his Legislature Amendment Bill had Iran lost, as the result of a fantastic' exhibition br some members of the; House. J i ie reason was, ho felt, that the Acling-Primo Minister had desired to delay the Bill (Hereditary Titles Prevention) in the hands of the member for Manawatu. His (Mr. Fisher's) Bill could havo been dealt with in a very short time. Instead they had had speeches which were time-wasting speeches and nothing else The action of the . House that night had been an absolute indictment of the party system. If decent political conditions had existed, what had happened that night would never have happened a°ain. The fact was that this_ House was k'iii" ruled by a comparatively small handful of men, a small group who oeprived every other member of his rights and freedom to introduce legislation. Instead of allowing an opportunity for the discussion of matters, which were vital to the politics of the country, the Government bad put up member after member -it was one of the evils of the wretched party system—to delay the. debate, for its o, Mr P G rP wf'Russell (Avon) stated that as one who had taken part in _ the debate that night he did not feel inclined to allow the insulting remarks of the lion, gentleman to pass. In obedience to the Speaker, Mr. Russell withdrew the term "insulting." He substituted uncalledfor and improper." He had himse.f devoted the best ability and skill of which he was master to the discussion that evenir.". There was nothing in what had been said to justify the simulated arid stage-like indignation of the lion, member This criticism had come with singularly bad grace from a member who was constantly posing in this Honsc, and■with a small gang of Wellington members—took up more time than any others in the House. . Mr. Fisher called for a division on the motion to adjourn. It was carried by 35 votes to 15.