PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1931, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE. (Pi/ Telegraph—Per Press Association) Wellington, April 2. An amendment to the Finance Bill providing for the appointment of a Civil Servants hnrdshi ptribnnal was introduced in the House of Representatives by Governor General's message yesterday afternoon, and at a later stage was incorporated in the Bill. the Prime Minister, explaining the nature of the tribunal, said it would consist of a Judge or someone of n similar standing, together with a representative of the Government, and a rcpri'scntiative of tlm Public Ser- . vice. Consideration of tlm Finance Bill in com mi tide was completed at 11.30 p.m. when it was reported to the House, with amendments.

There was very little prolonged opposition to the second section ol the bill (’(hailing with tin? amendment of award etc.,) except on the principal clause, which Labour members attacked until the closure was applied.

Two Labour amendments to tin's clause which gives the Arbitration Court power to issue a general order amending a wards , and agreements, were submitted. Mr Armstrong moved to exclude from the operation of any general ureter, the wages ot industrial workers earning £4 sterling or less per wees. This was rejected by 41 to 2i. M.r McCombs moved to insert a proviso instructing the Court not to reduce wages below a point that would enable the workers concerned to mainlain a fair standard of living. This was defeated by 40 to 23.

When the Rill was reported to Ihe House .Mr 11. E. Holland mined that

it be recommitted. The matter was defeated. FINANCE BILL PASSED. WELLINGTON. April Alter the sternest struggle in trie House ol Representatives for many years, the Finance IliJl was passed before daybreak this morning. die House had been sitting practically continuously since Monday. February 23rd.. and the t il'eet of the strenuous sitting upon members was most noticeable during the latter part of yesterday and tin* early hours of

this morning. The actual sitting hours devoted to the Bill during the main contest, totalled almost one lmndrdod, and in additions there were two days devoted to the adoption of the new Standing Order, involving the principle of the closure.

The proceedings were remarkable for the number of divisions, approximately seventy being recorded.

The closure was applied four times

during the committee stage. After the debate on the report stage in the early hours of this morning the Rill was read a third time, on division, by 39 to 20 votes, and passed.

— : 2 - ! The House rose at 3 a.in. till Wed- j nesday next. The IViine Minister intimated that j the tiist business when the Mouse resumed would he consideration of r art lie (ii tke legHiat to n.