The Premier in a Fix.

Manawatu Herald, 28 September 1899, Page 2

The Premier in a Fix.

The Premier found himself in a v^ry tight corner in the small hours yesterday morning. He had been n^eavouring to push his Estimate? ••hrough, despite frequent appeals that it was time to go home. The number of members became gradually reduced a? the sitting lengthened until there were less than thirty present, as shown at 6.10, when a motion to report progress was negative by 15 to 14. Then oame the opportunity of the Opposition for revenge. By withdrawing their following the number of tn-mbers left would not ba sufficient to form a quorum, a " count out " would follow, and the weary business of the Estimates would hnve to ba began all over again. Without a word of warning th Opposition proceeded to leave th^ Chamber The Premier, realising the danger of the situation, promptly moved to report progress, much to the aatisfactirn of those who had forced an awkward position upon him. It is safe to prophesy that for the remainder of the session the Government members will be remind^ or th^ir du'y of " keeping a House" * little more sharply, than his been ha case hitherto. Such situationis occupied on Wednesday morning tre too unp'easant for a Gov inraeoi; •■•«■> risk their occurr«nco more than «>nce in a session. —N Z Times.