THE STONEWALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 276, 30 December 1909, Page 3

THE STONEWALL.

"AN EXHIBITION OF IDIOCY." By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. TSfter midnight the discussion On the motion to reduce tlie .£4OO vote to Mr. \V. P. Reeves, Financial Adviser to the Government in 'London, was continued by Messrs. iierdman, Herries, and others. Mr. Anderson moved to report progress, and this was being discussed up till 2 o'clock. In the House after 2 a.m. Mr. Taylor described tEe proceedings as an "exhibition of idiocy." Mr. Massey called the chairman's attention to these remarks and Mr. Taylor was called to order. Sr. Taylor went on to attack the attitude of the Opposition in strong terms, which led to a personal debate between him and Mr. Massey in which the chairman had to intervene several times. Mr. Massey said he was quite prepared to go on till Friday with the stonewall.

Sir Wm. Steward suggested to Mr. •Massey that he ought to be content with the protest he had made. The chairman's ruling being questioned by Mr. Hogan, progress was reported in order to get the Speaker's ruling. The Premier gave notice to amend the Standing Orders in order to prevent a repetition of such a stonewall. It the House were sitting four days longer he would bring the matter before it. . The Speaker ruled that a reduction .rote must be a substantial sum and not a trifling amount. The procedure iwas in order and the committee accordingly resumed. The stonewall was continued until 7.45 a.m., when the House adjourned till 2.30 o'clock in the afternoon. THE STONEWALL ENDED. THE '. • AGREED TO. Wellington, Last Night. When the House resumed at 2.30, Mr. Massey asked if the Premier intended to make any statement. The Prime Minister repeated his former statement, that he would keep the position clear until 30th June next, when the House could decide the matter. • Mr. Massey asked if that meant that in the event of the House deciding against the position, Mr. Reeves would tie given three months' notice.

The Premier said six months' notice was required. lie would leave the whole position open for review by the House before 30th June next. Mr. Massey: ''That is the first straightforward unqualified statement we've had." This was denied by a number of Government supporters, who said it had been several times plainly stated during the debate. Mr. Massey declared that not a single member on his side of the House had known that the item was to be introduced in the Supplementary Estimates. The Premier said it was' well known to the majority of the House that this rote would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates. Mr. Massey then moved that the item -'.400 be reduced by £1 .as an indica- < ';>n that there will be no further comi- itments after 30th June next. The motion was lost by 38 to 27. The Chairman then put the question • 'lat the vote be agreed to," and the i: m passed on the voices. 11l committee the House then proceeded to deal with the rest of the Estimates.

Following is the division list on "Mi'. Maasey's amenflSent to reduce the sum of £4OO By "£l:—Ave* (27): Messrs Allen, Anderson, Buchanan, Clark. Dive. J. Duncan, Fraser, Guthrie, Hardy, Herdman, Herries, Lang, Luke, Me-, laren, Malcolm, Mander. Massej, New-1 man, Nosworthv, Ofcey, Pearce, Phillips, •Poole, Rhodes. Scott, G. 11. Thomson, Wright. Noes (38): Arnold, Brown, Buddo, Button, Carroll, Craigie, Dillon, T. Duncan, Ell, Field, Fortes, FowW«. Graham, Greenslade, Hall, Hanan, Hojan, Jennings, Lawry, lanrenson. McDonald. B. McKenzie. T. Mackenzie. Millar, Naata. Parata, Poland, Reed, Ross, Reddon. Sidev, Smith, Stallwortlu*. Steward. I\ H. Taylor, T. E. Taylor, J. C. Thomson. Ward. Pairs—Ayes: Bollard. Fisher and Colvin. Terangiharoa and Russell. NOTTCE OF MOTIOX. . Mr. Hognn gave notice of motion that TO;-the next sitting dav he jrould moje BlmMhe House di'Bjrree with the ruling regard to ths method