PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1931, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

THE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) AVEIJLINGTON, -March 20. The Address-in-Reply Debate was continued in the Legislative Council yesterday by Hons Garland, Moore, Malcolm and Trevithick. The Council adjourned at 0 p.in. THE HOUSE. The House of Representatives was divided on Mr Chap-man's amendment to the short title ol the Finance Bill. At 3 p.in. the amendment was defeated by 51. to 20 and the short title was then passed by 52 to 21/ only Labour members voting against it.

The discussion on this clause of the* Hill had occupied twenty-four sitting hours. A number of Labour amendments were then moved that the sitting limit ilie application of the “cut.” Mr McCombs moved that the “cut” should effect only sums exceeding four hundred a year.

Mr S avnge seconding the amendment, explained its adoption would mean a salary of £4OO would he subject to no “col” at all while a salary ol £4->() would be subject to ten per cent, cut on fifty pounds. A division on this amendment- resulted in its rejection by -14 to 31. Mr .Fletcher voting with Labour. Air Howard then moved for the limitation of the application reduction to sums exceeding £359 a year, but ibis was rejected by 50 to 21. The next amendment was moved by Air Sullivan, who sought the exclusion of sums of £320 and under. Mr 11. E. Holland drew attention to the fact that on a division on a similar amendment in 1922 the Prime Minister and some members of the Cabinet and Mr Wright* (Reform) voted in favour of it.

Mr Forbes said that it did not matter what he did in 1922 or any other time. He knew what was necessary in the interest of the country -at the present- time. The amendment was defeated b.v 52 to 22. Messrs Wright and Fletcher voting with Labour.

About 8.30 p.in. Mr (Jordan moved to limit tin* operation of the “out” to sums exceeding £3OO and said it would not only mean that, civil servants earning under three hundred would be granted relief, but it would be an indication to tin* Arbitration Court not to reduce salaries of similar standard, lie assured tlie House that there were thousands of parents throughout New Zealand who were waiting anxiously to learn what the House was going to do . about, their well a re. The rapid fire of the amendments was intriTiii ted when a steady debate developed on the issue raised by Mr .lordan and by 9 p.m the proceedings again lapsed info succession speeches from Labour benches, which lasted beyond 2 a.in. when the telegraph- office dosed.

THE FINANCE HILL. LABOUR STONEWALL STILL CONTINUES, W'KLLINGTOX, March 26. Having occupied, over forty-live sitting hours the Labour stonewall on the Finance Bill was still showing no signs ol weakening when the House of Representatives adjourned for breaklast at. seven o'clock this morning. A division taken on Air .Jordan’s amendment at 1.50 a.m. resulted in its rejection by 57 to 25, AieSsrs Black, AY right and Fletcher voting with Labour. All O’Brien then moved that the cut should effect only sums exceeding L'27o per year. A new phase of the stonewall was entered upon at 4.12 a.m. when Air Sullivan moved to report progress. This motion was discussed rill nix a.m. when -A TV Fraser moved "that the House report, progress and a,s|< leave to sit again.” Lalnjur members deflated this issue till the time arrived for adjournment. The .sitting will be rimmied at nine a.m.