PARLIAMENTARY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1932, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY

BUSINESS FOR WEEK

PREMIER OUTLINES PROGRAMME

(By Telegraph, —Per Press Associationf WELLINGTON/ March 18.

In the House of Representative:,, yesterday the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, asked Mr Forbes if he would indicate what was to he the programme of business for the next week or so.,

M r Porous replied that it was proposed, after disposing of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, to take the Mortgagors' and Tenants’ Relief Bill. It was anticipated that the passage of this moasn , would occupy a day or two, and the House would then adjourn, possibly -, on Wednesday, for the Easter vacation, and would not resume until Tuesday, April 5. With the object of enabling the Government to have time to- deal with Ihe Economy Commission’s report, the Prime Minister reminded the House that this report had been supplied to the Cabinet in the middle o- f the business of the session, and it was iiow ■ necessary to prepare such legislation as would arise otit of It. He felt quite certain that by adopting that cause, it would he possible to -shorten the length of the .session a- good deal. Legislation would he necessary and once it had been prepared during the vacation P would be possible, when the Hm-s resumed, to put it through with reason able dispatch. He hoped to be able to conclude the session be‘ore the end of April. It was probable that the Unemployment Bill would be brought clown before the Easter vacation. On the motion of the Prime Minister, urgency- ’ was accorded the passage of tlie Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill. The ar:ncuncement of the Minister’s intentions to withdraw the clause giving- the Government power, by Order-in-Coim-tcil, to exclude specified industries from operations of the principal act, was received with applause, and this course was adopted.

LABOUR MEMBERS SUSPENDED

FOR UNCOMPLIMENTARY , REMARKS.

WELLINGTON, March 18.

In expressing resentment at the intention of Mr Coates to move for the application of the closure in the House of Representatives early this morning, two Labour Members, Messrs P. Fraser (Wellington Central) and J. A. Lee (Grey Lynn) used terms which, together with their refusal to with* draw them, resulted in the Members' suspension for the remainder of the day’s sitting,

The trouble oeeiim’d when the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill was being put through the Committee stages. The clause under consideration at the time was the one which deals with the provisions governing the reference of disputes to the Arbitration Court. Mr Coates moved the closure at 5.10 a.m.

Mr Fraser, rising to a point of order, asked whether the closure would debar members of the Opposition from discussing the question of the eltect the clause would have on women work-

Alr 8. G. Smith, Chairman of Committees, replied that the closure would mean that the whole of the clause would go to the division. Air Fraser: “Then this is the most contemptibly mean thing 1 have eve*heard of.”

Mr Smith called upon him to withdraw the expression, but Air Fraser said that with all due respects to the Chair, he declined.

Air Lee threw an interjection across the floor of the House: “A’on are a class of Parliamentary curs!” He declined to withdraw the expression, and the Speaker was summoned. After the position had been explained, and ATessrs Fraser and Lee had again refused to withdraw the remarks, the Speaker requested them to leave the chamber,

It was then suggested that they be invited to return, and be given a further opportunity to withdraw their rein a rks.

The Leader of the Opposition said that he did not tlmik anything would be gained by this course. If Air Coates had grasped the situation, and had ex pressed his willingness to withdraw the closure motion, there would have been no trouble.

Air Contes sa.id that the whole trouble had risen over 'lie uneei tninty as to whether the application of ihe closere deprived the Opposition of the right to discuss the question ni women workers

The members were invited to return to the chamber, and the Speaker suggested that the expressions may have been occasioned jiy a misiindersteiidiii r ili- pointed out. that a withdrawal and an expression of regret would no doubt ii.(•(>(-, with the approval of the House. Air Eraser asked leave to confer with Air Lee, and on the Speaker’s .suggestion, the House admnmed lor a

mailer of an hour io giv< an opportune jlv of clearing up any mi>’.ind<'rsl:Hid

When 111,. House 'csnmcd, Mr I'Va*. (..• ;,iid Mr Lee said they would not withdraw Ibe words tliev bad used, and tliev were again called upon to withdraw.

.Mr Forbes said that it was with tlm ii iva(esi rctfi a! t hat be moved Hie motion which. under standing orders, lie was cal led upon to move, namely, that

Messrs Eraser and Leo be suspended for the remainder of the sit ting. Motions were t'-ken separately, and were forced to divisions. Each were adopted l.v 39 votes ito 21. only Labour members

dissenting. The Sergeant-at-Amis was insinu yd t<i convey the deci ion -it th ‘ House to the members concerned. B—i WWMHIU JW M VW II iIMIBWi