FARCICAL POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1599, 16 November 1912, Page 5

FARCICAL POLITICS

AUSTRALIAN STONEWALL LONG DEBATE ON A MEMBER'S SUPPER. A PROTRACTED SITTING. By. Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. November 15, lfl.lQ p.m.) Melbourne, November 15. . The discussion of the Estimates in the House of Representatives was productive of. a record stonewall. The debate began at half-past 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning, and the sitting Was continued until this afternoon, with short breaks for meals. The trouble started over the Government's determination to force through the Estimates, even if it kept the House sitting until Saturday night. The principal idea, however, behind the Opposition's attitude was that the Government was endeavouring to prevent adoption this session of a redistribution of seats scheme. The Opposition displayed much strategy in providing relays of speakers and harassing the Government continuously by calling attention to the State of the House. To meet the difficulty, the Ministerialists formed a chair circle in an adjoining room, and when the bells were .rung they waited till the 6and held almost j run out, and then marched in and out again without taking their seats. All sorts of points were raised, aid all kinds of subjects discussed to keep the ball rolling. Once when tho bell ranff a member carried in lis supper plftte and a knife and fork, and continued his meal. A question as to whether lie Was in order led to a fruitful discussion. The Chairman decided that the member might eat. Another member suggested that they should send for Mr. Speaker Willis, of ! New South Wales, to straighten out the tangle. Urgent telegrams were gent to absent members on both sides to come and assist in the blockade. Finally when all were worn out, including the "Hansard" reporters, a compromise was reached at four o'clock this afternoon, and the stonewall raised and part of the Estimates passed; The Government afterwards agreed that tho debate should ba resumed on Tuesday, and the House adjourned.