UNEMPLOYMENT BILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4507, 20 September 1930, Page 2

UNEMPLOYMENT BILL.

FATE IN COUNCIL

DEFEAT POSSIBLE

The prolonged and at times rather stormy passage which the Unemployment Bill lrad through the House of •Representatives is likely to he repeated in the Legislative Council, and there is a feeling in the lobbies that the outcome may not he a happy one from the Government's point of view (says the Post). At present there appears to be n decided possibility that the Bill will not pass its second reading. As the Bill is a money one, the !legislative Council had no power lo amend it, but there is nothing to prevent the Council from showing its disapproval of the measure by throwing it out. Should that occur the Bill will not he heard of again this session at least. ft is well known that the principle of paying sustenance is strongly opposed by Certain members of the Council, and it is probable that the. storm will centre on this feature of the Bill. When the Bill was received from the House of Representatives it was immediately referred to the Labour Bills Committee of the Council, and it was not reported back to the Council until yesterday. When the report was presented, the first indication of determined opposition was given. The Acting-Lea-ner of the 'Council (the Hon. R. Masters) asked the Council to agree to take the second reading stage at that sitting, and in order to do that it was necessary to secure the unanimous consent of I lie Council. This was not forthcoming, at least one objection being raised. Mr. Masters then had no option but to defer the second reading stage until Tuesday. Tuesday’s debate is pregnant with possibilities, and the final division on the second reading will be awaited with close interest. Possibly the debate will extend into Wednesday, and it certainly appears that the Council, is in for solne longer sittings than have been necessary up to the present.

II is freely stated in the lobbies llml I lie opponents to the Bill can inly on the votes of eighteen members of the Council, and it is suggested that there are others Mho may be induced to record their votes against the measure. The present voting strength of the Council is about 38, so that whatever happens it is probable the division will be a remarkably close

Should the second reading happen to pass, it is likely that the Committee stages will also be prolonged, as the opponents of the Bill are said to be determined to defeat it if at all possible.