Still Talking.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 September 1913, Page 3

Still Talking.

—♦ The Opposition Stonewall. [PKR TRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, This Day.After the telegraph office closed this morning the debate on The Estimates was continued, the item under discussion being £10, for Mental UospHals in flic Auckland district. This discussion has been proceeding since 2.o() yesterday afternoon, when' Mr Witty moved to reduce the vote by £100, as an indication that samries, accommodation, ami the staff were insufficient. The tone of the debate was dreary, members sull'ering considerable inconvenience from the cold and several speakers addressing the House in overcoats. Mr Ngata concluded his h'nal speech on the item at '-1.23 a.m., when a division was taken on Mr Witty's amendment, which was lost by 2S votes to 10. Mr Witty immediately moved d> report progress, to give (he Government time to bring down (lie report on Mental Hospitals. He claimed that the Opposition had been fighting for a great principle, and had eonducted the debate in a clean spirit. During the course of his remarks. Mr McDonald made a reference to the absence of the report, whereupon the Hon. Mr Massey said the Opposition had had three copies of (he report since Saturday. Mi' MacDoiiald contended that the Hon. Mr Rhodes had told the House the report was confidential and could not be commented upon. The Hon. Mr Khodes denied thai he made any such stipulation: what lie said was Hi! (lie report ws an uncorrcctcd copy. Messrs Ngata and Poland argued that the report was only a rought printer's proof, full of errors and wholly unreliable. Ample time had elapsed in which (he corrected copy could have been supplied; i( was not treating Parliament with respect to supply public documents in the .form of a rough proof.

Mr Witty said he had seen the report for a few minutes, and he was satisfied that it contained matte] , (hat would not appeal , in the finished copy. The Minister explained that Inhad removed the objectionable paragraph. Mr Witty, continuing, said (he House .should report progress, so thai they could get me report in a complete and approved form. The Hon. Mr Massey said the attitude of the Government was that all necessary information should be supplied at the earliest possible moment. The motion was debated till l> o'clock, when a division was taken, the voting being: ayes I-'!, noes 28. The item then passed. , A fresh contingent of the Opposition now arrived to continue the debate. The Hon. Mr Ngata moved as an amendment that the salary of the Resident Medical Superintent (i'(iOO), at Tokouui, be reduced by .£T).

The motion was debated shortly, and on a division if was lost by 1.1 k»2S. Mr "Buddo moved to reduce the salary of the farm manager at Tokanui by £1. as an indication that the salary was too low. A division was taken at i.45 a.m.: ayes 13, noes 27. Mr "Parntn moved a reduction of £1 in the salary of the engineer a( Tokanui, as an indication filial a belter salary should be paid to him. The motion was being debated at the breakfast adjournment. After (he breakfast adjournment the debate showed no signs of flagging, o fresh lot of Liberals taking up the running. At 11 o'clock the Chairman put the question, and (lie Opposition called for a division. The amendment lo reduce the salary of the engineer at Tokaanui was lost by 30 A'otes to 13.