SCENE IN PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 156, 5 July 1916, Page 5

SCENE IN PARLIAMENT.

A LOST OPPORTUNITY. DISAPPOINTED LIBERAL MEMBERS. WELLINGTON, July 4. The entire colinp.se of the financial debate a fortnight ago does not appear to be so much of a blessing to the Government after all, as it has left an aftermath of little trouble. The Cabinet, in the first place were puaced in an embarrassed position by there being no debate, as it was not then ready to place its financial hills before the House for -discussion. The result was that the Land and Income Tax Bill was brought forward prematurely, whilst in order to keep the House going it has been necessary to 20 into committee of supply on days other than Fridays for the consideri•m o" estimates. On any day exceati I'ridav members have the right to mo.e ! ostile amendments to the motion w go into committee of supply. Two examples of this have previously occurred in connection with Messrs Pearce’s and Nosworthy’s amendment and a further similar incident occurred to-day. Quite a mild disturbance was created when the motion to go into committee of supply was brought before the House towards the end of the afternoon. As soon as the question was put from the chair, Messrs Witty and Wilford rose, evidently with the object of mov:ng an amendment. Almost at the same time, but a second or two later, Mr. Wright rose on the other side of the House. The Speaker -hi not see Mr. Witty or Mr. Wilford, and called upon Mr. Wright. On the last named member rising an extraordinary tumult arose on the Liberal side of the House. There were loud and angry shouts of: Sit down,” “Absolute trick,” “It is not fair,” and " (>»;-• temptible,” and for a moment or . two there was such a tremendous uproar that Mr. Wright had difficulty in obtaining a hearing. Eventually Mr. Buick raised a point of order regarding constant interruptions. The Speaker interposed, and the House, which by this time had become a veritable bedlam. regained a semblance of order, Mr Wright now being able to make him seif heard, moved an amendment affirming the des’rablenc: of expediting the construction of the new Parliamentary buildings. He spoke on the question for some little time. When Mr. Wright sat down, Mr. Witty spoke, and in the course of hie remarks ue charactep'sed the tactics, that had been used as “despicable” and “contemptible.” He referred to the cost of ‘iving, thus making apparent the probable •■siture of the amendment that he pad desired to move. He spoke in nu| angry and excited strain about &uo!i| matters’ as could bring him within' range of Mr. Wright’s amendmentj until the d|Pheri, adjournment. As, members,., were .leaving,,,., the CHadnber at' ThSOf more than one Was heard to speak-of “having a night of it.” When tlie House,resumefl at. 7-30 it was 1 at once evident xlifit ‘fife"Liberal section was stilTin an fdhgry mood, and tliat some at least ;x were/: deposed-; io adopt obstructive tactics. Some speakers contented themselves with entering indignant protests against “trickery” which they declared was being indulged in and with a display of Tight eons disdain refused to treat Mr. Wright’s amendment seriously.., ptlier meipbers, however)' affected to take'the amend-mentAmuearnest-and filled iif Tinwv' by enlarging upon the “taiboa” policy, the Ministry , in respect to the erection of the new building. Mr. Witty again declared that the Hoyse.;was prevented from discussing the'cost” of living.

The Prime Minister ; I have nromised to give the House a day for discussing the cost of living, Mr. Witty : Bah! When will we get it P We may never get it.” In making an elfort to speak to Mr. Wright's amendment he declared a portion or the new Parliament buildings is being built of marble, portion of brick and a portion ot clay. Some members of the National Government are men of marble and some are men who are only common may, willing to 'do anything for self-aggrandisement.

Dr. Thacker, who spoke of the " insanitation of the present Parliament building," said he was taking up probably £6O or £7O of the country’s money m entering tns protest again st the slow progress of the pew buildings. , * Mr, Veitch expressed indignation it the “pitilul spectacle of the Government being afraid to face criticism regarding the cost of living. This,” he declared, “is the bedrock of party trickery The action of the member who had moved tne amendment was only worthy ot a circus clown. Mr. Payne: That's right. Hub ms nose in the sawdust; Mr. Poole said that the indignation that had been expressed was quite justified. Every member desired to raise ins voice regarding the exploitation that was going on in certain directions. He had no desire to prolong the session, but he thought the House should be treated with greater respeo and given the confidence of the Government. Air Payne spoke on his usual lines of criticism of the Government and the “trickery” that was being resortG \lr. Sidey, in adding his “protest,” referred to the fact that Air. Wiight to-day, like Air. Nosworthy when he moved’ his Ashburton School amendment last week, had been called upon before other members. The Sneaker : I called upon the member who first caught my eye on both occasions. I cannot allow any reflection upon the chair. (Hear, hear). It is n matter of indifference to me whom I first call upon. I looked carefully round and the first member who caught my eye was called upon. he amendment was put and lost. The motion to go into Committee of Supply was then discussed. Air AVilford, who spoke with considerable heat, said ho had loyally supported the National Government on all important war proposals, and this was the return he got. He charged the Government with burking discussion degarding the people’s food supplies. The Prime Minister’s promise to set apart a day for discussing this question was only a blind. The Prime Alinister, who followed Air AVilford, challenged the latter, or any member, to prove that at any time during the session he had prevented a member from moving an amendment regarding the cost of living. Mr AA'ilfo! d.: I am speaking of this occasion. Air Massey: Ah, von are now changing your ground. Alemhers had had ample opportunities of discussing the cost of living. Thoer was the Fin-

fuicial Debate, which afforded every opportunity for discussion, but no member took advantage of it. Then there was a’so the first item of the Estimates stage, when there was another good opportunity for discussion, but it lasted only a limited time. No amendment was then moved regarding the cost of living, and there was no discussion worthy of the name when Mr Pearce moved his amendment. There was another good opportunity, but although he (Mr Massey) moved the adjournment until the next day, the debate was allowed to fizzle out. There was yet another opportunity on the imprest Supply Bill, when everything from Dan to Bcersheba could be discussed. He had done it himself when ho had been on the other side of the House. Mr Witty: There is no other side of the House now. Mr Massey: It did not look like it this afternoon. (Laughter.) There was no discussion on the Imprest Supply Bill. Mr Witty : What about the compact P We kepi our word. Mr Wilford: Can you call it an opportunity, when it was agreed that members should not speak? Mr Massey admitted there was a suggestion that members should not speak; but it was a fact that no discussion took place either on that Bill or on the Financial Statement the same evening. It was quite incorrect to >-ay the Government bad attempted to burke discussion.

Mr Brown: You wait until the next election comes!

1 Mr Massey : That is all right. Tr 1 we went to the country now we should come hack with a big majority. Mr Payne • You would go right out. Mr Massey; I Know somebody else who is going- right out. Proceeding,; the Premier, referred to some remarks that had been made by Mr Witty covering the proposed trip Home of the Minister for Finance and himself. That member had suggested that it was desired to close the session early on that account. Mr. Witty: I do not regret saying it. Mr Massey: We could have gone Homo in the, recess if we had felt inclined Mr Witty: But you were afraid to. Mr Massey: What were we afraid j of ? -Mr Witty : You did not know what would have happened to the Governi me*’t. Mr Massey ; Nonsense ! If both of us died to-morrow the business of the country, would be conducted just as well. Mr Pavne : Hear, hear ! In reply to an interjection regarding the suggested difficulty in appointing an Acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Massey said there were plenty of members in the National Government who : >would have made good acting-Primo ; Ministers. Any ide%lfchat Mie Govdrn;|ment was trying to push, the business quickly in order that the A|inHistep ’fori Eipunco find himself' could* go ’.Home was absurd. They had prlvi‘fously felt that owing to the difficulty ' ijabout recruiting and other difficulties, ‘they 1 'Should remain in the Dominion. When the session ended the matter .wouhi .be decided by arrangement with the Imperial Government. He did not caj;e how long the session lasted. Ho was only anxious to see the business of the country properly conducted. N After the. supper adjournment the ainS'dljihere' was quieter, and after speeches by Messrs Webb, Witty, McCombs .the. illation to go into Committed of Supply was carried. Consideration .pf .the Estimates was then resumed.