THE GOVERNMENT IN A DILEMMA.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 128, 24 September 1895, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT IN A DILEMMA.

The House resumed at 7.80 on Saturday, when the Customs and Excise Duties Bill was further considered in Committee. On the item “ Boots, shoes, slippers, goloshes, &o. Mr Massey proposed that the duty be 20 per cent ad valorem instead of 25 per cent. Mr Ward said he could not accept the amendment, but he could postpone this item. Captain Russell had no doubt the Colonial Treasurer had not made up his mind what he intended doing in this matter, and they would probably have another tariff on Monday night dealing with the boot duties. After a short discussion, Mr Ward said it was evident an attack was going to be made on this item, as members had come back to-night fresh for work. He therefore hoped the item would bo postponed, i Several members urged that the work should be proceeded with, and the boot item faced now. Mr Ward pointed out many members were absent, who would like to consider this item. Mr Earnshaw thought the reason why the Government wished to post* pone this item was because they were not sure how their party were going to vote on it. Mr Seddon said it was quite clear to him that several members, who were averse to sitting on Saturday nights, now wanted to retaliate on the Government for bringing them here. He saw nothing else in the House but mischief, and it was evident it was no use in going on with work, whilst members were in that mood. He therefore moved to report progress. Mr Graham resented the remark that the members wanted to retaliate on the Government. } After further discussion, Captain Russell protested against the farce being continued any longer. The fact was the Premier had, during the last few weeks, lost all control of _ the House, and the present proceedings showed that he was absolutely unfit for his position. He hoped the House would agree to report progress. Mr Seddon defended his motion, and said that neither he nor the leader of the Opposition could in any way prevent what had occurred in the House that night. He saw that members were not inclined to go on with business, and that was why he moved to report progress. As for Captain Russell’s remark about his not being fit to lead the House, he invited the leader of the Opposition to take the first opportunity of testing that question. It was evident this question would be talked out to midnight, so it was better to report progress. Eventually, after a very long discussion, Mr Seddon’s motion to report progress was carried by 80 to 24.