PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 25 October 1913, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

A DAILY SUMMARY.

The scolds of tho Opposition party had a field day in tho House of Representatives yesterday, scope for tho garrulity in which they revel being afforded by an Imprest Supply Bill, . which was not disposed of until tho 'email hours had been reached. 1 When tho House met in the afterBoon tho Prime Minister was questioned about tho strikes in progress on the Wellington wharves and at Hunt- : ]y. He stated that ho was endeavouring to promote a settlement of both disputes. _ A small Bill validating expenditure by local bodies In connection with tho visit of the battleship and upon the 'Auckland Exhibition was introduced by Governor's Message, and read a first time. Tho Shops and Offices Bill was r<y ported from the Labour Bills Committee (which has been engaged upon it for tnree months past), with a number of amendments. One of them leaves It at the discretion of the Arbitration Court to grant a sir-day week to ■hotel employe®" • The Leader of the Opposition made another attempt to "draw" the Prime. Minister on the subject of electoral reform, but Mr. Massey declined to supplement his previous statement that a Bill would bo introduced this session to repeal th& Second Ballot 'Aot. An Imprest Supply Bill was introduced by Governor's Message at 8.17 p.m. The subsequent debate consisted In great part of a wearisome repetition by Opposition mombors of the time-worn accusations which they have been casting at tho Government ever sinco it took office. Dnring the afternoon there was a brief discussion on naval dofonoo and the Prime Minister intimated that the Government would announoe its policy on Tuesday .and that a Bill would bo brought down. Tho debate gained jio brightness In the evening and the Opposition, while they kept it going, expended no unnecessary effort in doing so. Shortly after ten o'olock Mr. Bradney tendered them some good advice, urging that they should defer playing upon the political fluto until next session. At 10.35 p.m. tho Opposition was represented by Mr. Buxton (speaking), Mr. Russell (writing), Mr. Parata (rest-' ing),' and Mr. Davey (listening). A littlo later other membors drifted in and raised the Opposition strength to - half a soore, Which was about the averngo for the night. The House rose at 2.21 a.m. Somewhat unexpectedly the Land Bill 1 'debate in the Legislative Counoil collapsed quite early yesterday afternoon after speeches had been mado by tho Hon. W. H. D. Baillie and the Hon. J. T. Paul. The Hon. H. D. 8011, in reply, vigorously defended tho freehold policy of the Government. Ho advised severe! membors, notably Mr. Paul, who had advocated tho leasehold tenure, that they were advocating a lost cause.