THE SESSION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9672, 21 December 1909, Page 3

THE SESSION.

WHEN WILL TEiw END BE?— AN angky leader.

SIR JOSEPH CONFRONTS THE CAUCUS. When will the House rise? This whs the principal topi': of conversation among members yesterday (Sunday). It was generally felt that, if the Consolidated Estimates had been disposed of on Saturday, the session would, almost for a certainty, have closed before Christmas. As it is several clauses, which will probably occupy several hours' discussion, remain untouched. If the PuL/lie Works Statement" is not to be brought down to-day, and Tuesday morning is to be set apart for consideration of the Timber Commission's report, and Wednesday morning for local Bills and discu;sion on the report of the Police Commission, it is difficult to see how the Finance ami other Bills which the Government wish to put on the Statute Book this session are to be passed in the days which precede Christmas Day. There arej rumoura to the effect that if the moat urgent business is not transacted by December 25th, the Government will ask the House to adjourn until December 27th and try and finish by December 30th, or until after the first week"of January for a few days. [lt is understood that members of the Miaistry*?conferred together yesterday (Sundaylj with regard to theJJJposition of affairs. What transpired was not'raade"|pubiic. I £Apart from of fthe duration of the "session, will be awaited with considerable 1 interest, as*the]Goverament suffered another defeat on a]vota in connection with the Estimates on] Saturday evening. Interest is being'heightened;.i,n consequence of whatjtook 'place at the Jast caucus, when, Jit is reliably reported, the Prime Minister, after referring to which had been carried against the Government, declared that he neither could nor would carry on under |]the conditions which had prevailed during the previous few weeks. Speaking with considerable warmtti. Sir Joseph, so it is stated, asked the party to name another member to act as leader. In response came a vote of confidence, which was with cheers. Erom several points of view, the position at present is extremely interesting.—"Dominion.**