N.S.W. Upper House Radically Alters Bill

Grey River Argus, 6 August 1948, Page 8

N.S.W. Upper House Radically Alters Bill

on Tenancies With Temporary Opposition Majority SYDNEY. August 5. A constitutional deadlock without precedent in Australia occurred in the New South Wales Legislative Council early this mornin;, wnen the Government and rhe Opposition manoeuvred to avoid hav : .ng to appoint a Chairman of Committees, as either side sought to have a majority in divisions on the Landlord and Tenant Bill. The chairman of committees was himself absent, 'this was through illness. The three temporary chairmen Messrs G. S. Archer (Labour), L. S. Snider (Liberal) ami F. W. Spicer (Independent) faned to answer the call to take the chair.

The appointment of Mr Arcner would have left the Opposition with a majority of two. The appointment of either of the others would havt equalised the voting. After hours of trying to persuade the Opposition to provide the Chairman, the Government reluctantly produced Mr Archer, who earlier had been said to bo ill. His- reappearance was followed by that of both the other temporary chairmen. Then, the Opposition, having a majority of two. proceeded to force through six important amendments to the Landlord and Tenant Bill. The Bill transfers the Commonwealth rem controls to the Fiat? from August 16. The time factor was therefore decisive. The Government had to choose between getting the Bill through in an amended form, or risking delay which might prove unprofitable in any case. The most important amendment limits the life of the Bill to the end of next year, instead of leaving it with i ndefinite life. Other aleration 1 -' modify the clauses on notice to quit and rights to resell. The notice to quit period was reduced from two years to six months.