THAT COLLAPSED DEBATE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 3, 28 September 1917, Page 6

THAT COLLAPSED DEBATE

REQUEST TO REOPEN "IT. When the House of Representatives resumed yesterday Mr. Payne the Prime Minister whether ho would, by special resolution of the House, reopen the second reading debate of the war Pensions Amendment Bill. The evening before, ho said, at the time the second reading of the Bill was declared carried, groups of members were being waited on by members of the Second Division, or wero discussing the question among themselves. Every man in the House felt that his position would be misimder stood in the country. 'If members wero allowed to make their speeches on the second reading debate it would be a guidance to the public. Mr. Massey 6aid ho was sorry he couldnot reply in the affirmative. The question had been put in the usual way by the Speaker, and it was decided by those present to carry the second reading. It was not desirable to go back, and after all the committee stage was the most important one. (Hear, hey.) He had hq doubt that members would do full justice to the Bill. Mr. Lee: We cannot discuss the allowances.

Mr. Jlassay said he did: not think the .honourable member would find any difficulty regarding the allowances. Mr. Payne: -Will /you afford us _ tbo fullest opportunity on the short title? Mr. Hassey: Members can discuss that as far as I am concerned, provided it is in accordance with the Standing Orders of Parliament. \ Mr. Hornsby stated that the\ previous evening the Speaker had ruled that all matters pertaining to the question of allowances could be discussed.

The Speaker said lie had ruled that on the second reading of the Bill reference could be made .to any statement made by the Minister of Defence in moving the second reading. < A. member: Well, can we discuss it c-n the'committee stage? The Speaker: That is a flatter for the Chairman •of Committees.

Mr. Payne said he. believed there v. as hardly a'quorum when the'6econd reading was carried. The Speaker said Mr. Payne, not,being present, was merely going on hearsay evidence. He ventured to 6ay tt-at there wero more members present on that occasion than at other times immediately after the supper adjournment; certainly more than on one occasion when' lir. Payne was speaking, when there were only four members present. (Laughter.)