FIRM MEASURES TAKEN.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14832, 25 November 1913, Page 9

FIRM MEASURES TAKEN.

CHAIRMAN USES HIS POWERS

UPHELD BY ME SPEAKER

J555."!:* 0 "ras -ass.' * ___. WELLINGTON, November 24. When the con_i<i e ,_ tic - of ihe legislature Act Amendi_« at . Bn , , vmrm rmed this evening the meabers _ f the Q position received _

Chairman of Committees, who had been rather indulgent during the afternoon, now proceeded to put into exercise his expressed intention of using his powers under the Standing Orders to the utmost limit.

Mr Seddon, who at 8 o'clock took up the discussion on the motion that the new clause (repealing the Second Ballot Act) be read a second time, was the first to experience the effect of the rigid enforcement of the Standing Orck-rs. He succeeded in retaining the floor for four minutes. He was first warned that he was indulging in tedious repetition. A moment later tho Chairman stated that- ho was still so indulging, and he was ordered to resume his seat.

This method of ono warning was then pursued by Ma- Malcolm ia regard to all speakers. Mr McCallum, who followed Mr Seddon, lasted oniy one minute. Mr Atmore, who came next, was rung down in two minutes; and Mr Colvin, who followed, spoke for only a few seconds. There was a quite rapid procession of speakers, and no few than ten speakers were cut down in the space oi twenty minutes. PROTECT BY SIR JOSEPH WARDSir Joseph Ward raised a protest against this rigid enforcement of tne btanding Orders, and said that whilst tne ruling ot" tlie Cnairiuan would be oboyeu, this prevention of the ngnt of free speech uid not meet with tne approval of his party. He said that members were debarred on the Miort title ot tno Bill from speaking on the baliot, because a mil dealing wn_ it waa on tno urder Paper, ana now, when tho new clause was introduced, they were not allowed to speak to jt for more than two or three hours. .Mr Malcolm said that if the two first clauses had been passed without such a long debate, there would have been amnio opportunity of discussing the second ballot clause. Ho had taken the unusual course that he hud taken absolutely on his own rcsponsiuility as tho only "means of maintaining the i?*neiencv and reputation of the House. He intimated that after the motion to read the clause n second time had been carried, ho would allow an hour or more for the discussion on the next motion:—"That this, clause be a clause of the Bill." MR SPEAKER'S RULING TAKEN. Ono of the rulings of Mr Malcolm was that any member who repeated arguments alreudy used (even if by other speakers) was infringing the rule in regard to tedious repetition. The Hon. J. A. Malar took strong exception to the ruliing, and moved that Mr Speaker's opinion should bo obtained in regard to it. He said that he had never beforo known such an interference with the privileges ot members, and the rights of free speech. Mr Malcolm accepted tho motion, which was agreed to, and the Speaker took the chair. Mr Millar repeated his protest to Mr Speaker, and said that if Mr Malcolm s ruling was to be upheld it would not bo possiblo for more than four members to speak on tho financial debate. Mr Speaker having listened to several speakers, said that he had already ruled on five occasions that he could not and would not interfere' with tho ruling of the Chairman of Committees, and ho oxpressed surprise that he should be again brought into the chair for such a purpose. He had on the fourth occasion on which tho matter had come before him, stated that in future tho Chairman of Committees would bo justified in refusing to accept a motion to take the Speaker's ruling on a decision of this kind, and that any member who persisted in pressing such a motion would bo guilty of contempt and could be dealt with accordingly. Mr Speaker, added that in view of the time occupied on the first clause of the Bill, the Chairman of Committees was justified in interpreting the Standing Orders as he had done. It was tho duty of the Speaker of the House and the Chairman of Committees to soe that the business of the House proceeded with reasonable speed. He (Mr Speaker) would never unduly restrict debate, but after the waste of timo that had taken plaoe it waa tho-duy of the Speaker and the Chairman te take such steps as the Standing Orders allowed. . Sir Joseph, Ward protested against the statement that there had been waste of time, and said that when the first opportunity occurred he would give notice of motion in the House to dissent from the ruling of Mr Speaker and the Chairman. .','»- Mr Speaker declared the House again in committee and left the chair.