PARLIAMENT

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 November 1913, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

[I'KR I'KI'SS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellin-bm. This Day

After the Telegraph Office (dosed at '2 o'clock, the stonewall on the Electoral Reform Bill (second iinllnt" repeal) continued unabated. Mr Massey stated that an .intendment in connection with the second ballot repeal would be moved thai, night ii flic opportunity offered. Nothing was provided in its place, and next session the House would be given an opportunity of discussing the whole electoral laws. A substitute for ihe second ballot could be moved then.

Tart of the tactics to gain time was to bring the Speaker into the chair to rule on a question of relevancy, winch under the Standing Orders (as_ interpreted by Mr Speaker previously) rests entirely with the discretion of the Chairman of Committees. On tlie last occasion that this procedure was resorted to. the Speaker instructed the Chairman not to take further notice of such requests, and if any member persisted in questioning his ruling such member must be committed for contempt. Shortly after o'clock MrNgata produced Webster's Dictionary and spent some time in exposition of various forms in which the word "this" could be used. Speakers during' the nitfht were Messrs Poland, Eorbes, Witty, Isitt, Atmore, McDonald, Ngnta, Pangihiroa, and Seddon, the Ministers taking turns in charge of the Bill.

At J. 15 Hr Seddon was cautioned by Mr ITine (Acting Chair-, man) against discussing the influence of Latin on the English language, his remarks being ruled irrelevant.

At 5 o'clock a division was taken on Mr Poland's amendment, which was lost.

At 6.22 a sharp passage took place between Mr Atmore and the Hon. ])r. Pomare, in which, the Minister invited Mr Atmore to "come outside!"

When the Oh.ii.rmai) interposed Sir Joseph Ward moved to report progress, a discussion proceeding on that, question until 6.40 a.m., when the Hon. Mr Masscy announced that he had just received tlin sad intelligence of the death of Mr Laureuson, M.P., winch occurred at 4 o'clock. The Premier at once moved that the House adjourn till 2.30. The House rose at 6.45 a.m.