FEDERAL POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 16 November 1912, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

CABLE NEWS

l'xtu Asaociatior* — By Eltr trie Telegraph—Copyright.)

A RECORD STONEWALL. ESTIMATES DEBATE. (Received Last Night, 10.10 o'clock.) MELBOURNE, November 15. In the Federal House, the discussion on the Estimates was productive of a record stonewall. Starting at 10.30 on Wednesday morning, the sitting has ...continued since with short breaks only for meals. The trouble started through the Government's determination to force the Estimates through, even if it kepiKitting till-Saturday night. The p:tncipal idea, however, behind the Opposition's attitude is that the Government is endeavouring-to prevent the" adoption this session of a redistribution of ser>.ts. The Opposition, with much strategy, is providing- relays of speakers, who are harassing the Government and continuously calling its attention , to the state of the House. To meet the difficulty the Ministerialists have formed a chair circle in an adjoining room. When th-o bolls ' rung they waited till the sand had almost run out, and marched in and' out again without taking their seats. All .torts of points have been raised, iind subjects discussed to keep the bd! rolling. Once the bell rung" and a member was carried in,with a supper plate. I and knifo.and fork, and continued his. meal. The question as to whether he was in order led to a fruitful discussion. The chairman decided that he might i eat. . Another member suggested, that thev should send for Speaker Willis to straighten out the tangle. Urgent wires wei'e sent to absent members on both sides, to come and assist the blockade. Finally, when all the members were worn out, including the , Hansard | str.ff. a compromise was reached, and at \ o'clock this afternoon the stonewall was raised, and part of the Estimates na-sscd. i

HOUSE ADJOURNED. (P.oeeived Last Night. 11,10 o'cleel:.) MELBOURNE, Xovembor 15. The Government has agreed to the debate being resumed on Tuosdov. The House has -djourned.