"WILL PERSEVERE."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1928, Page 7

"WILL PERSEVERE."

MR. COATES' INTENTION. "GET SOMETHING THROUGH." TO SATISFY THE MAJORITY. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Just before 3 a.m., when the House of Representatives in committee had turned the Licensing Bill into a form acceptable only to the members who signed the New Zealand Alliance's pledge for I the bare majority and the two-issue ballot paper, there were expectant glances at the Prime Minister, because when this stage had been reached last session he threw up the measure. This time Mr. Coates took a different course. He admitted that the bill had lost all resemblance to what he thought were the masterly proposals it had once contained, but he was anxious to get something through which would satisfy a majority of the members, and he would persevere. (Hear, hear.) However, he could not move the third reading of the bill in it* piesent shape, and he would ask some other member to do so. ! Mr. J. A. Lee: Who will take charge? The Prime Minister: Any member can 1 do so. 1 Mr. Wilford: I move to report 1 progress. ! Mr. McCombs: That means killing the bill. Mr. Wilford: T hope so. ! Mr. Coates: I cannot accept the motion. I want to sop the bill through. [ Mr. H. E. Holland. Loader of the Op „ position, expressed concern over llic prospect of continuing for hours, especi- [ ally as the bill was in the condition of Humptv Dninptv when ho fell off the , wall. Mr. Coates: I agree. I Mr. Holland: And all the King's horses can't make him whole again. Mr. Coates: I don't agree. (Laughter.) [ Mr. Holland: Let's be sensible and get to bed. This farce has gone far « K>,l S n - Fiftv-five other members dumgreea. Thev supported Mr. Coates' P™P£ a, .*° continue, the minority being IS-. « t.as 4.45 a.m. when the Prime Minister decided to postpone consideration of the further 22 clauses, which, he said, could I be taken when the Howe resumed.