PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1931, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. A LONG SITTING. (By Teleyraph—Per Press AssociationJ WELLINGTON. March 21After a lengthy sitting, towards file end of which the hells had to be rung several times for a quorum, the House of Representatives completed the second reading of the Finance Bill beI'ore daylight this morning. Mr Fraser referred to the position of Mr Black in relation to the United Party, mentioning the latter had voted against a motion for urgency. Mr Black had taken up an independent stand, after severing Ids connection or being severed from connection with the United Party. Air Fraser added Hurt be did not know what wa s actually the position. A division was taken on Air Jordan’s amendment at 4.36. The amendment was defeated by 46 to 21. Mr Harris voted with Labour which also received the support of Messrs Black, Fletcher and Rushworth in tile way of pairs.

The amendment having been defeated a further amendment, of which Mr McCombs had given notice, was not put.

The House again divided on the second reading which, was carried by 47 to 20. The House roao at 4No a.m. till Monday.

AMENDMENTS NOTIFIED. WELLINGTON, .March 21

Air Fraser gave notice that prior to the Finance Bill being committed, lie proposed to move it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole House on the Finance Bill, that it had power ■to make provision in the Bill for ensuring that cost of living including food, clothing and rent, be lowered simultaneously with, and in proportion to the amount of reduction of salaries of Public (Service employees, as specified in the Bill, and simultaneously with and in proportion to the amount of reduction of wages as ordered from time to time by the Arbitration Court under the Bill.

Replying, Air Forbes said the Government intended to insert a provision in the Mortgagors Relief Bill making its operation effective at the date of introduction of the Bill. On the motion of the Prime -Minister. urgency was accorded the second reading of the Finance Bill. Labour members called for a division and the motion was adopted by 50 to 24, -Messrs Black Harris, Fletcher, llogan, Rush worth and Wilkinson joining Labour in voting against it. The debate on the second rending was continued beyond midnight by members of all parties.

The A 1 inis tor of Labour defending the Government's proposals, said lie regretted the necessity for " >tg e 3 reduction; but if there was anybody in ■llie House who could show him a better way of meeting the present, situation he would support that method, Air M’Coinbs gave notice of his intention to move the following further amendments. —-The House recommends the Government that members of Parliament be assembled at a round table conference to formulate proposals by means of resolutions to be subsequently emlvodied in the Bill, the resolutions to he confidential taxation proposals, based on (1) equality of sacrifice and ability to pay ; (2) ways and means of rendering immediate assistance to farmers, and ultimate!} tclieving farmers of the risks of foreign trade.

MR BRACK’S POSITION. WELLINGTON, March 21. Mr Black, M.P. lor Motucka. has decided to join the independents in the House. '|’he Prime Minister stated in an interview that Mr Black’s vote against the Government on the motion moved by mo claiming urgency tor the passage of the second reading of the Finance Bill can only lie regarded as a definite indication that lie no longer desires to support the United Party which he was returned at last election to do. An adverse vote, if carried against the Government on a matter affecting" the control of the business of Parliament, must be accepted as a vote of no-confidence and would necessitate its resignation. I, as Leader of the Party can only accept the decision, and regret the parting of the ways. Mr Black also outlined the position in an interview. ‘’l have found it necessary to disagree with the proposals ol: the Government, as outlined in the Finance Bill. I object to this important mater being forced through the 'House without the fullest consideration. Because 1 have adopted this attitude, the present Leader has elected to decree that 1 atn no longer a member of the Ini ted Party. T am consequently compelled to take my place on the independent benches, but neifhei the attitude of Mr Forbes, nor my place on the independent benches, alteis in the slightest, my democratic .principles.