PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1932, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. CLOSURE MOTION CARRIED. (By Telegraph—ter tress A stociation) WELLINGTON, March, 2. In the House of Representatives, Mr Forbes in moving the restoration closure to the 'Standing Orders said the experience of last session had shown that it caused no disturbance in debates. It had been used with the utmost discretion and consideration. The leader of the Opposition condemned the proposal this weapon. He contended it. was designed to. stifle criticism! Labour members maintained a steady opposition to the proposal. The debate entered a new phase at 10.30 p.iii. when the first of a series of amendments was moved. In all, five labour v amendments were submitted all being defeated by a clean majority. ‘ Tile motion was 'adopted at 2.45 a.m. and the closure was therefore restored to the Standing Orders. The House rose at 2.50 a.in. till this afternoon.

THE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, March 2. In*the Legislative Council yesterday the adress in reply motion was moved by Hon. Gow, who said the Arbitration Court was amongst the the greatest causes of tile present economic difficulties, because there had bgen no representative, of the general public, which wag a third party to all disputes, . The motion was. seconded by Hon McCallum, who stressed the need for economy in public and private expenditure.

Hon Sinclair urged united action in facing the industrial situation. The debate was adourned and the Council rose at 4 p.m.

THE CLOSURE RESTORED. WELLINGTON, March. 2. By the decision in the House of Representatives the closure nas been restored to Standing Orders. The Labour opposition terminated at 2.45 o’clock this morning, and there was ho lbt-up in the iproceedings until after ten last night. . when the first amendment was moved, and this was not debated at any great length, and on its rejection, four additional amendments were submitted by Labour members, and were defeated by a- clean majority. The last of these was moved by Mr D. G. Sullivan, (Lab. Avon), shortly after the telegraph office closed at 2 --this morning*- -Air amendment which sought a limit to the operations of the closure to the present Parliament, was defeated by 44 votes to 20 and the Prime Minister’s motion waf ; then adopted by 43 votes to 21. ; Replying to the Leader of ilfd. Opposition, Mr .Holland, Mr Forces said that an interrupted debate on" the introduction of the Industrial ntion and Arbitration ‘Amendment Bill would be concluded to-day,(itifter which the address-in-reply j dei hate wojild /be resumed. . _v§

LOW WAGES REPORTED. ONLY 10/5 FOR 121 HOURS. WELLINGTON, March 1. Several questions were asked by Labour members in the House to-day. Mr Semple is to ask the Minister of Public Works whether a number of men on the Napier-Gisborne main highway, were earning as little as Id per hour, and whether he was aware that six men for 121 hours work, each earned only 10s sd. Mr Semple gave notice to ask for a return showing the travelling allowance paid to each Minister of the United Party during that party’s term of office. Mr Langstone gave notice to ask whether a special committee of members of the House would be set up to investigate the origin, receipt and expenditure for the past six years of the political Reform Party funds, political United Party funds, showing where they have come from, and how they have been expended.