QUASHED!

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2787, 3 June 1916, Page 6

QUASHED!

SIR. PAYNE "MD HIS BILLS ' GOVERNMENT'S DECISIVE MOVE | The sharp lesson that'liberty must not | be carried to -tliOi extent of license was conveyed to „llr. ; John .Payne •' in tho House,of Representatives yesterday afternoon. For industry in the' production of private members' - Bills, Mr: Payno is unexcelled.'--His .tally; on the Orders-of the Day, js already.twelve, and yesterday • -iie. ' wuiht": Jeave. to introduce six more ■under - tho- i'following. titles War' Jfeliet of Soldiers' Dependants Bill, Baby Bonus Bill, Lands Act''Amendment Limitation ol ! Area of Holding Bill, Taxation of "llnearnod lucremont on Sale of Lands Bill, 'iWpships Inquiry..!-. Bills Anti-German Bill. On, a former occasion Mr. Payne ( monopolised practically a whole 'afternoon of Parliament's' time in -carrying tho first readings' of a batcli of his dozen Bills. '

Yesterday the House was. given opportunity. of .choosing between- discussing questions and Mr.'Payne's Bills. The decision was obvious, but the discussion upon' question's.ended "at 4.45, leaving Mr. Payne threerfluarters of <ui hour in which to move'ibi's JJills's .- : had. occupied gome forty iniiiutes. in.;, introducing three Bills, , Sfr. L. M.-isitt'rose, arid said that he de/sired -to enter an emphatic protest against ( the waste; of time, and money that this sort ■of Bill involved the country in. They all 1 knew, that these .Bills would not go any further.' • ' . '

Mr..'-Payne: That is not my fault. Mr. Isitt: And ( tlie expense the country is involved in must run into something liko .£SO or .£BO for a jaunt like this. If -some 80, members of the House indulged in. thoysamo tactics it- would cost the conn.try'from 4E3000 to .£4OOO, with 110 practical good whatever. "I enter my strong : protest," said Mr. Isitt, "and if the _pre- ; Bent Standing Order? admit of no,blocking of this sort of thing, I hope f.hcy will bo altered to i>rotect the interests and j finances of this, country."... \_ Mr. Massey: The House will getan-'op-portunity presently. . I The third of Mr. Payne's Bills was then read a first time,'after .which the Prime Minister.rose and gave notice of motion: 'That on and after next sitting, day Government, business take precedence of all other business,'except local'-and private Bills,"/ \i ■ .-■!'• ■ : ' ' This motion was greeted with manifest : relief by tho House, as. it will effectively prevent further waste of time in this , .' -fashion by Mr. Payne. With three minutes to go, Mr. Payno endeavoured to put his view before the House. Hon. members, lie. said, knew perfectly well" that .the only way a private; member couhl'get his ideas before Parliament was to introduco a Bill, and if the House were honest these Bills would , ; :be taken on their merits, yet the party , : I in. power deliberately blocked any mem- . ber bringing forward a Bill wliioh wouldj Ibe for tho good of the people. •V \ Mr. Nosworthy: Who is .wasting time 1 : How? i / Mr. Payne: Tou. S Mr. Nosworthy: You. - I - Mr.-,- Payno:'- No,- you. ' (And be ac- | companied Ixis remark with • a grotesque , . gesture, and a taunt whioh be often uses when speaking to Mr. Nosworthy. Mr. Nosworthy always laughs, however.) fer „ Tho Speaker's solemn-"I am sorry' : to v-i interrupt the lion, gentleman," intimated #/■; -r 6 opportune arrival of 5.30 p.m., and 'pXr :ho House adjourned iu merriment.