PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1931, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THE COUNCIL. < lhj Telegraph — I‘er Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 27. In the Legislative Council yesterday, the debate on the Address-in-Reply was continued by Hons Mclntyre, Snodgrass and Isitt. The Council adjourned at 4-15, till to-day. THE HOUSE. STONEWALL CONTINUED. WELLINGTON, March 27. The Labour stonewall was continued when the House o 1 Representatives resumed at 2. 30 yesterday. The discussion on Mr O’Brien s amendment wa s kept up till till 5 p.m. The only bright interlude occurred when Mr Campbell expressed the opinion that a stage had been reached when the trial of strength should be taken, particularly as earthquake legislation was being held up in consequence of the debate. Mr H. E, Holland said he was sure every member of the House had the utmost, sympathy with the people of Hawke’s Ray and was anxious to facilitate earthquake legislation. The Labour Party was quite prepared to agtee to a suspension of the Standing Orders, so that it could be out through immediately it. was introduced, He ventured to say it would '?.o through in less than one evening’s sit-

ting. Hem. G. Forbes said the legislation wa s ready and could be brought- down immediately, if the present debate terminated. While he could realise it wa s the desire of the Labour Party to put lip its protest. lm considered the members had now made that protest sufficiently evident.

Mr Barnard said lie hoped the Prime Minister was not going to place him in a position where his loyalty to his constitutents and loyalty to the Party to which lie belonged, would be at variance. He hoped Air Forbes.would (vorren not to hold back legislation till the present Bill had passed. Mr Forbes said he did not think any blame could bo attached to Mr Barnard for the delay of the earthquake legislation. The) - responsibility must rest with his party. Mr H. E. Holland—“ Responsibility must lie with the Government.” Rising later, Mr Holland said:— “Our action connected with the present Bill is based on principle. The Prime Minister says, “unless you call off the discussion, then I won’t permit Napier legislation to come down.” While the Labour Party believes it is fighting for justice it cannot call off the fight but we are prepared to. give a pledge that if the Prime Minister introduced .-rehabilitation legislation at any stage, we will join with the other parties in getting it through' ns speed, ily as possible-” A division on Mr O'Brien’s amendment resulted in its rejection by 45 to 25. Messrs Fletcher, Black, Rushworths, Wright and Young voting with Labour.

Mr Carr then moved to exclude sums of £250 and under from the operation of the cut. This amendment was still under discussion when the Telegraph Office closed at 2 a.m. ANOTHER- ALL NIGHT SITTING. WELLINGTON. March 27. Tim Labour stonewall on the Finance Bill had been in progress a little over sixty-three hours when the House of Representatives adjourned at seven o’clock this morning, for breakfast. Mr Carr’s amendment was rejected at 2.45 a.m. by 39 to 26. Messrs Black, Hogan, Harris, Kyle, Sykes; Wright and Young voting with Labour. Labour’s next amendment was moved by Mr Semple, who sought to limit the npnlication cuts to sums not exceeding £225. The debate on this issue was unfinished when the House adjourned till 9 a.m.