STANDING ORDERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3765, 9 May 1907, Page 2

STANDING ORDERS.

Cr. Hennessy is a “ stickler ” for order in debate at the Council table. On two or three occasions during last Council meeting he rore to a point of order and objected to subjects being discussed in a conversational manner across the table before any motion or notice that a motion was intended to be moved by the speaker. So long as loose discussions —except when the Council is in Committee —are allowed, so long will the Council’s meetings be unduly prolonged. The Council should adopt standing orders, and - each Councillor should be in possession of a copy. Here is the recognised outline of procedure at meetings “ Every member is permitted to speak once to every question for the time being brought before, and i.i possession of, the Council. A member commencing to speak when no business is before the Council cannot be permitted to continue, unless he announces that he intends to conclude with a motion, and unless that motion is one which he is entitled then to move. The motion having been moved and seconded'is proposed to the Council from the Chair for discussion, and is then for the time in the possession of the Council, and consequently it cannot afterwards be withdrawn without the leave of the Council. Members moving or seconding amendments are regarded as speaking to the original question, because the amendment does not become the question before the Council until it has been proposed for discussion from the chair; but when the amendment has been proposed from the chair the same becomes a new question, and every member (save of course the mover and seconder thereof) may speak thereto. If the amendment be negatived, members who have not yet spoken to the original motion may then do so, and may move further amendments, but if no further amendment is moved the original motion is put to the meeting and either carried or rejected, a division being taken should any member call for one. If the first amendment is carried, and is of such nature as to effectually dispose of the business before the meeting, no further proceeding is had ; but if such amendment does not dispose of the original motion, the original motion as amended by such amendment is then proposed from the chair for discussion, and becomes the business before the meeting, and all members who have not yet spoken to the original motion can speak to such original motion as so amended and move further amendments thereto.”