UPROAR IN HOUSE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1933, Page 5

UPROAR IN HOUSE

ON SALES TAX BILL WORDS FOLLOW CLOSURE MOTION (Per Press Association — Copyright.} WELLINGTON, February 18. Approximately half the committee stage of‘the Sales. Tax. Bill; was- completed wheni the House adjourned for breakfast this morning,- after the second successive all-nigbt sitting. The closure was applied on occasions, and a. number of, clauses were, passed after divisions had been taken, .while others were adopted on the voices. ' The Hon. J. G. Coates agreed to withdraw in the. meantime . that clause which states, that securities by minora should have the same validity as if given by a person of full .age: The debate during the night was quiet and orderly,- until- a dispute arose over the application of the closure. The incident occurred about 5.30 o’clock after four Labour members bad spoken on an amendment by."'Mr J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn),., to strike out the clause, dealing with securities for payment of the tax. The Rh. Hon. G. W. Forbes moved the closure, and there was instantly an outburst of protest from -the Opposition benches. • Mr D; G. Sullivan (Lab., Avon') exclaimed: We should leave> ther-cham- 1 befs as a protest. Mr P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Suburbs) : No, not that. ■ ;

Mr S. G. Smith (chairman) again put the motion and there was ; a further uproar, Mr. J. O’Brien; (Lab., Westland) exclaiming “You can’t play the game anyhow.”' '

Amid further shouting, Mr Fraser said:, “The most' inefficient member who' has ever sat. in the chair of this committee.”

Mr .Smith: I ask you'to withdraw that. ' .

Mr Fraser; T won’t.

Mr H. G. ; Mason '(Lab;,' Auckland Suburbs): I want. to endorse those words. •* • * >• *• *" * , Mr Smith - (to • Fraser): Will . you repeat what you said? •' “ ; ; : Mr Fraser: most, inefficient member who has ever sat ( in the chair of this committee.

: Mr R. Semple (Wellington East): Inefficient and'cowardly. > . •. - • ' The chairman, took note of .the words used by Mr Fraser , and ,tlien asked Mr Semple wliat'-he had-said. ' Mr Semple.:. I. canaiqt ,'remeipber. ; Mr Smith You used the words “inefficient quid cowardly.” :

Further exclamations- followed . in which Labour members cried “Name us all.” ' -

’ -Mr Smith then sent for the Speaker, before 1 whom he placed the circumstanoes 'of the'incidentv v\,.

Mv iFraser said that hsJind. refused to ,withdraw, boeaiisp the- chairman had accepted the closure motion in contravention of. the governing standing order. He 'Considered that while the incident did not justify the use of the words he had employed, ,it .had given provocation ~to every...member of the .Opposition. ;• ■ • ' : ; : • The Speaker th«n asked ,Mr...='Fraser to withdraw the words complained of, but Mr Fraser declined, and on the Speaker’s instructions he withdrew from the Chamber.

Mr Forbes said that Mr Lee’s amendment had obviosuly. been “delaying” the motion, and was the culmination of a long period of .obstruction. The Leader of the Oppostion took exception to the Prime Ministers’ assertion tht that there had been oik atruction. There had been no disorder throughout • the proceedings until Mr Forbes had moved the closure. There had been no Ministerial explanation of the clause, but there had’ undoubtedly been strong feeling because the Opposition considered the Chairman had acted harshly. Mr Coates said that until the incident occurred the conduct of the debate had been everything that could have been desirea. It had been clear ..that jthe Opposition was endeavouring tb delay the progress of the Bill. Labour members jcompflained (that there had been insufficient opportunity for discussion.

Mr .Smith said that the subject under discussion at home had (been the main topic of the debate for-, twenty ..four hourji. It had been discussed on a short title and on/othfer "Occasions. Ho had honestly used his discretion in accepting the., closure motion. Mr Fraser was summoned back to the chamber and the .Speaker asked . him whether he would withdraw the words complained of and express regret.

Mr Fraser said that he w<m]d resp e ct the rules of the 'House and do so. He then again left the chamber at the request of the gpeakr. . The Speaker pointed out that it r<*9tod with the House to decide whether the position could be met by the acceptance of Mr Fraser’s withdrawal,' and his expression of regret. It was decided on the motion q?< Mr Fofibes that no further action would be taken in view, of Mr withdrawal and expression of regret, and after the committee had resumed, M* Smith and Mr Fraser shook hands. Mr Semple was asked for an explanation of his use. of the word “'cowardly.” H e said that, he had not so much directed it at the Chairman, as he had used it in a general sense with respect to his action in applving the closure. ( He had rot been asked to withdraw it. Th e Speaker; Do you do so now? Mr'Semple: Yes. The Speaker B aid that, jo view of MT Semple’s withdrawal, the incident should close.