MISTAKEN RULING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2479, 12 September 1922, Page 1

MISTAKEN RULING.

BY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. ADMISSION OF THE ERROR. WELLINGTON, Sept. 8. \\ lion the House resumed at 7.30 this evening Mr Massey moved to go into Coninntteo-of-Supply to consider the estimates.

Mr Sidey immediately began to debate the motion, whereupon Mr Massey raised the point of order thnt a debate was not permissible as tho House should automatically go into committee, and that the discussion should take place on the first item of the estimates.

The Speaker ruled that the debate was in order, but subsequently prornrsed ro rttKo time to further consider the point. A short debate ensued In whten Messrs Sidey, McCombs, Smith (Waimarino), Isilt and .Masters took part; local questions’being discussed.

When tho House resumed after supper, the Speaker said he very much regretted he had misinterpreted the standing orders when he permitted the debate on the. motion to go into Comrriittee-of-Supply. He did not, however, think that the debate which had taken place would materially lengthen the proceedings, but would take the place of the discussion on the first item of the estimates. lie apologised to the House for his error.

Tho Premier said anyone might make a mistake, the Speaker of the House, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, or even the Speaker of the House of Commons, but it required a man of decent instincts and a .strong man to come along and admit it ns the Speaker had done.