WORK OF PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2247, 5 September 1914, Page 9

WORK OF PARLIAMENT.

ECONOMY IN' ELOQUENCE-AND TIME.

The sinking 'of party is responsible for. a marked economy in the time devoted by the House of Representatives to the debates' which in normal; circumstances occupy so large a share of members' attention. The Financial Debate, which has its origin in the motion to go into Committee of Supply on the Consolidated Estimates,' usually extends over several days, even when therd are no great questions animating the eloquence , of the parties. ' Thougn the fact was hot the subject of particular comment, it is notable that the Financial Debate was concluded on Thursday evening in less than fivo hours. It _was actually a debate on the report by the General Manager ofRailways, the few "other subjects introduced getting comparatively little prominence. '•■With the exception of brief replies.by Ministers, the speeches were all from the Opposition side. After transacting a small amount of other business, the House proceeded last evening to review the Estimates. Very little interest' was shown' by. members. The benches were almost deserted, only a.score or so;of. members being in their places. A few of them made a show of soliciting information, regarding some of the items in the classes as they were passed, but the proceedings were rqmarkably quiet, and in marked contrast with the animation which has often accompanied the Committee proceedings on the' Estimates. .