OPPOSITION MOTION STARTS ROW IN HOUSE

Chronicle (Levin), 19 July 1947, Page 2

OPPOSITION MOTION STARTS ROW IN HOUSE

■ Press ■ Association

, : -rf+ PRIME MINISTER ACCUSED OF TRIFLING WITH CHAIR ...

By Telearavh-

WELLINGTON, July 18. Sometliing of a trial of strengtli loomed up unexpeetedly in the House of Representatives today when at the conclusioii of the t'oriual business Mr. Ilolland nioVed the adjournment of the House to enalde discussion, as a matter of urgeut public, .j.mportance, of the crisis iu the hospital adininistration of the country. Mr. Holland's motiou provoked involved discussiou ou points of order when the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) questioned the admissibility of the full text of the motion under Standing Orders, but the Speaker iinally ruied that ! the motion was in order. Mr. Holland liioved the adjournment of the House in order to discuss a motion "That the Government 's general policy and adininistration, but particularly its legislation making provision for a iive-day week, and the restrictive effect of stabilisation, have resulted in such a grave shortage of nursing and domestie staffs required in mental, maternit.y and general hospitals, as to render it impossible for the Government and hospital boards to provide the adequate service required, therebv endangering the lives and/or health of many people." Mr. Speaker acdepted the motion as coming within Standing - Orders, but when Mr. Speaker formaily put the motion to the House Mr. Fraser immediatelv rose to a point of order. He j said he had no objection to such an j urgent question as hospital administration being debated, but Standing Orders did not admit reference to such questions as a five-day week and stabilisation, which had been discussed a hundred times iu the House. The motion t'or an adjournment niust be limited to an urgent public question not previously discussed. Mr. Holland retorted that Mr. i Speaker had accepted the motion and ruled it in order, and it could no longer I be called in question. The Prime Min-I ister liad lost his opportunity a few moments before, and was now trying to take another one. i Mr. Fraser: I don't want to burke discussion. Opposition voices: Oh, no! The Prime Minister: But it is impoitant that Standiug Orders be complied with. The Prime Minister added ,that it was quite true that the Leader of the Opposition had dome him the courtesv a few minutes before the House met of telephoning liim'to sav the motion on the hospital crisis would be tabled, but it was only when the motion was read in the House that its full text became known to Government members. There was further discussion on Mr.

— j Fraser 's point of order until, when 1 i Mr. Fraser again mtervened, Mr. Holland reinarked, "This is only trifliug with the Chair. ' ' I Mr. Fraser: if there is any trifiing with the Chair it is only by those who are trying to dictate to the Chair. Mr. lv. J. Ilolyoalce (Nat., Pahiatua) : Tfie Prime Minister is the only | oue who is trying to dictate to . the j Chair." | Eventuallv Mr. McKeen ruled that | i the motion was in order. The (ive-day i week and the other topics mentioned { were relevant to any discussion of hos- j pital administration. ' Mr. Fraser (interrupting Mr. Bj)eak i er) : 1 am very sorry to disagree .with ! that ruling. f Opposition voices: Order! Order! i i Take it. Mr. Fraser said he fe!t very stronglv ; on the matter of the correct conduct oi | the business of the House. He would I not obstruct the present motion, but would ask Mr. Speaker to consult all the authorities and to give a considered ruling later on the- point of order as to whether all matters mentioned in the motion were admissible. "If your aulhoritative rulitijg is that the whole of this motion is in order, I will be prepured to move to disagree with the ruling," said Mr. Fraser. Mr. Holland then proceeded to speali iu support of^his motion. During the afternoon Mr. McKeen intimated that after full consideration of the available authorities, he adhered 1 to his decision given this mofning. Mr. Holland 's motion had been entirely in order. This decision was received without ' coniment by the House. He said members should in future ensure that not more tlian oue subject was referred to in the text of motion? ■ cor an adjournment of the House.