PARLIAMENTARY AMENITIES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 111, 26 September 1912, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY AMENITIES

WIGS ON THE (lEHEN. By Telegraph —Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. The proceedings during n portion of I his afternoon's sitting of the House wcrr of iin unusual and at times humorous description. The trouble began through members interested failing to take the opportunity to move the adjournment, so as to 'enable them to discuss Ministerial answers to question. There was some talk about "dumb dogs" and shifting criiicisin. Then the Prime Minister taunted members with having failed in their duty. They were, he added, greater failures in Opposition than they were as Government supporters. Mr. 0. W. Russell declared that Mr. Massey was the most incompetent Minister who had ever been in charge of the House. He had been ten weeks in office, and had only succeeded 'in putting through one Bill. That was done on Tuesday night.

The Hon. W. F. Massey said, in reply, that the new Government took up the control of business on July 31. after the House had adjourned from July 10. During the interval they were very busy indeed, because they had to overtake the arrears of the previous Government, to make themselves acquainted with Departmental details, to prepare Bills for submission to Parliament, and also to make ready the Financial Statement, wlieh was of a most comprehensive character, and gave satisfaction to the majority of people in the Dominion. That Statement was discussed for a fortnight, and private members' Bills had also to be considered.' J TTi could not recollect the 'number of Bills passed by the-House, but it was considerable.. It included the Public Service Bill and the Land and Income Tax Bill.

Mr. Xgata: Nothing in it. 'Mr. Massey: If tliat is. the lion, member's opinion, his opinion is worth very little. There is a very, great deal in that Rjli. and T notice that members on the other side of the Hoiise hardly, liked to oppose. Continuing, he said tliat fce ventured to say the business .done since present Government took "over the business of the country would compare very favorably with any previous session. The ho«. gentleman (Mr. G. W. Russell) was in the Government for three months. What was his record? Nil! He thought' the 'Rills passed by tlfe present Government this session constituted a record of which any Government ought to be proud. Sir Jas. Carroll ehaifingly- remarked that they had to. make every excuse for (lie Prime Minister. He was new to the position, and had yet to educate himself to its requirements. Later on Mr. Hanan made a vigorous appeal as to the'necessity of introducing (he Land Bill before too'late a 3tage of the session, and after a few more remarks the debate concluded.