PARLIAMENT IN AN UPROAR

Chronicle (Levin), 7 October 1948, Page 11

PARLIAMENT IN AN UPROAR

Press AssoctaiionJ

Scene When Opposition Refuse To Be Gagged

(Per

WELLINGTON, October 6. A scene without precedent for many years, occuired in the Honse of Representatives tonight shortly before the adjournment, when members of the Opposition made what amoimted to a demonstration against a ruling of the Chairman of Committees, Mr. Carr. Tempers were obvionsly strained on both sides of the House and when Mr. Carr declared his ruling' was sound and he wonld nphold it, progress was reported.

Before the adjournment , was taken thei'e were further references to what had oceurred in eommittee and Mr. Holland, who said he was coneerned with maintaining the decorum of the llouse, said he would inquire into the incident as fa'r as Opposition members were coneerned. The House had been in eommittee aii evening diseussing the Harbours Amendment Bill. Opposition speakers elaimed that the provision in the Bili for the appointment of representatives of waterfront workers to Harbouj Boards on a non-elective' basis, was against the principles of democraey. Shortly before the closure was applied on Mr. Xash's motion, Mr. Carr had ruled that further references to democraey were out of order during tlie diseussion of the Bili, as they woulu nierely eonstitute a tedious repetition. After a division on the short title Mr. S. W. Sriiith (Hobsou, Opposition moved an amendment to delete tlie pro vision in the Bill for all non-electiv. members of Harbour Boards, whethe. representatives of payers of dues or waterfront workers or Government representatives. This amendment lmt been under diseussion for some timwhen Mr. R. M. Algie (Remuera, Opposition) rose to support it and in doing -so made reference to what h. termed the violation of the principles ot deinocracy in the provision for the appointment of non-elected members to Harbour Boards. Mr. Carr ruled that this reference was out of order. Mr. Algie questioned the ruling and after a "brisk interchange with Mr. Carr, Mr. Algie said: "If I am to understand that I am ordered to resume my seat because I cannot use the word democraey in a British Commonwealth Parliament, I must defy the chair. ' ' Mr. Algie remained on his feet altliough Mr. Carr had also risen to his t'eet at his plaee as Chairman of Committees, and Mr. Algie 's statemeut was greeted by sustained eheering and "hoorays" from Opposition benches. The House was in a tumuit for several moments and amid a numher of heated comments, Mr. A. S. Sutherland (Hauraki, Opposition) was heard to say: "If we are not allowed to talk about democraey we will go home." When the ontcry from the Opposition benches subsided, AI r. Carr, who had roniained" on his feet, said Mr. Algie lad tio riglit to remain staiuling when he Chairman of Committees was on his feet. Government voices: Bad manners. Mr. Carr said Mr. Algie had underwood the ruling that had been giveu tiid had no riglit to defy it. Members had discussed the Bill for :.wo hours tonight before the references o democraey had been ruled out of irder. Mr. Carr Explains Mr. Carr said time had been occupied • ery largely in diseussing the pros and •ons of the democratic principle as pplied to this Bill. That he had ruled his'matter must not be discussed furher on this Bill, did not mean that tlie mnciple of democraey had itself been ost sight of. Mr. Sheat: Temporarily obscured. . Mr. Carr said the only purpose in his •uling was to avoid tedious repetition. t did not mean that democraey had been. lost sight of or in any way mini-

niised or defeated. It meant only that members could no longer abuse the reference to the democratic principle to prolong this debate. ' ' That is why I ruled as I did. 1 maintain the justice, of my ruling and it must be maintained, " he added. Mr. Smith: Democraey is gagged. Mr. Xash then moved that progress be reported. It was two minutes before the normal time for the adjournment ot the House. Mr. Smith: Staliu! The Speaker, Mr. McKeen, returne'd to the chamber and Mr. Carr reported that the eommittee had made progress and aslced for leave to sit again. ' Mr. Xash: I move that this House do now adjourn. Mr. Doidge: Let's sing the Red Elag now. ■ Mr. Osborne: Let's cut our throats. Government voice: Tliey're drunk. Air. Ilolland, asking leave to make a -itatemeut, said certain things had hap[lened tonight which members should take a little time to think over. Mr. Xash: Hear, hear. Government voices: It was disgraceful. Mr. Holland said he had a duty to maintain the decorum of the House. Mr. X asli : Look after your own side. I am Leader of this House. Mr.. Holland said he had not spoken oue word of criticism and it was' unnecessary for the Acting Leader to be rude. Mr. Holland 's Concern. ' Mr. Holland said certain happenings in the House tonight must be examined and he would undertake to examine them for his side of the House. He would do his bcst to regain what had been lost. Ile felt it was his duty to help maintain the good order of the House. Mr. Xash said he was happy Mr. Holland had raised the matter. ile had never seen, from his side of the House, anything like what had oceurred tonight. Xot in 20 years had he seen anything so disgraceful. JMr. Broadfoot: We are not going to be gagged. Mr. Xash said there was need for a sense of individual and collective responsibility in the House. He was sorry that the standards exhibited tonight had been reached in the House. Mr. Holland said he tliought a remark had been made by Mr. Xordmeyei which should be withdrawn. Mr. Xordmeyer admittcd making a remai'k in the heat of the moment and he unreservedly witlidrew the rcruark aud its iinplication. Mr. McKeen said iie was not in the S House at the time of the incident 'but he knew members on both sides had been expressing strong opinions anc: souie heat had been raised. He would appeal to all members to remembei their responsibility to the Speaker o! the House and to the Chairman of Committees. It was impossible for eithei of them to conduct the affairs of the House properly unless they had the cooperation of all members, especially the Leaders ou both sides to wliom he looked especially for cooperation and guidance in the conduct of the House. He had never found that cooperation lacking and he asked members to continue to accord proper respect to the Speakei of the House and equally to the Chairman of Committees. -