PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1931, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE.

ALL NIGHT SITTING.

ON CUSTOMS BILL.

■ By Telegraph —Per Press Association J

WELLINGTON, November 5

Confronted with a large programme of business for which urgency had been accorded the House of Representatives made relatively slow progress last- evening, hut there was a sharp contrast to this in the early hours

of this morning. . The debate 011 the second reading of the Customs Amendment Bill was continued throughout the evening and did not terminate until 2.33 a.m., when a division was taken on an amendment moved by Mr Wilkinson, that the second reading should he postponed until next sitting day, to enable the Government to comsideathe direful effects of the duties on wheat and flour and bread. The amendment was defeated by 50 to 16 and the Bill was read a second time without further discussion. The hill was then considered in Committee, this stage occupying two and half hours, it was read a third time, and passed without further delay. PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES. The - remainder of the business for tiio day consisted of, the passage ot the Public Works Estimates totalling £7,435,705. Each vote was adopted, with out discussion, and the total, sum, was passed within.,five minutes.

The House rose' at 5,3.0/ a.m. till 7.30 o’clock.