SALES TAX BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1933, Page 5

SALES TAX BILL

LONG STONEWALL

ADJOURNMENT OF DEBATE.

{Per Press Association — Copyright.)

•WELLINGTON, February 20. The proximity of the Sabbath brought the long sitting of the House of Representatives to an end .at 11.47 p.m. this (Saturday) evening, after the fiftythird clause of the Sale,? Tax Bdl had been passed. Progress was reported at 11.45 and an adjournment wa, s taken alter over fifty-seven hours of continuous sitting.

The Speaker asked Mr Forbes ir *te wished to (move a motion regarding the adjournment, an t f the latte r replied in the negative, whereupon the House lose until the normal tim e fo r resumption after tllie week-end, namely 2.30 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon.

The whole of the day was spent in considering clauses relating to offences and their penalties, and this section of the Bill had been passed in committee when progress was reported. !The r e was a very unusual incident in the evening when Labour members again .showed resentment at th e application for the closure when the clause providing for a fin 0 of £SO for the offence of refusing to answer questions required finder" legislation wag being discussed.

The opposition declared that a wife might b e penalised for .refusing to give evidence against her husband and Mr P. Fraser i(Lab., Wellington Central), mov. ed an amendment to obviate the possibility of such a situation arising. Mr W. Nash (Labour, Hutt) s trongly supported *th. e amendment, stating that th e clause in its operation might apply to anyone. Air G'oates said that it would apply only to under the legislation. t Air J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn); “I will lay you odds that you ar e wrong.” Air F. Langston-e (Lab., Waimarino); '“’l will lay you five to one.” The Chairman of Committees (Air 'SG. Smith); “After all, you should remember you ar e in Parliament.”

Mr Coates tllien moved the closure, and 'Labour members warmly -protested, Mr Nash declaring“ That is most unfair. The Alinister has not replied to my argument.” The Chairman said that ho would accept a mdtion. Air D. AV. Coleman (Lab., Gisborne) exclaimed : “Thi, s i s the gag.” Mr Nash declared that he.. had not had th e opportunity of duly,, stating his case.

djwo members started to count, othe r s joining in as'tlhe counting to nine proceeded, the word “out” being loudly chorussed.

Th e incident was ignored and a division was taken. Mr Fraser’s amendment was defeated and the clause was carried.