LIVELY SCENES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 46, 16 October 1931, Page 3

LIVELY SCENES

("Post" Special Commissioner).

"KNOW IT'S A LIE" DEBATE ON LABOUR NO £ONFIDENCE MOTION OPPOSITION AND ALLIANCE

WELLINGTON, last night. The Labour Party's no confidence motion against the Coalition Government, which was deferred pending the announcement of the new policy to be pursued by the Government, was launched in the House of Representatives to-night, but the issue was not decided when the Honse adjourned. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr H. E. Holland, criticised the various proposals put forward by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, in the Supplementary Budget, and also the policy on unemployment. i He also denounced the Government for not disclosing its intentions in regard to the postponement or otherwise of the general election. "The motion makes a clear-cut issue," said Mr Holland in the course of a speech which lasted an hour and a half. "It will range the Government supporters definitely on one side or the other." Mr Holland urged that the Government should malce an immediate deelaration of its policy in regard to the general election. A new policy, and one to which the vast majority of the people were opposed had been adopted and the people had the right to say whether or not it should be put into effect, he said. If the Prime Minister ignored the people he would he attempting to set up a dictatorship, whith would not be popular in a British community. | Defending the Government's policy, Mr. Forbes said that they were being forced by circumstances to economise and they had given all the relief possible to the primary producers. There were lively scenes when he asserted that the Labour Party was under the domination of the Alliance of Labour and his charges drew spirited interjections from the Opposition I benches. At times Mr. Speaker had I difficulty in maintaining order. "The Labour Opposition is very much concerned about the election," said Mr. Forbes. "I want to say that the hon. gentleman had better wait until I am in a position to make a statement. In the meantime, he can go ahead with his preparations." "You ought to be ashamed of yourj self," shouted Mr. Lee Martin (Labour, Raglan), shaking his fist, when ! Mr. Forbes stated that the Labour ' members in the House were bound hy ! the dictates of outside organisations. | The incident gave rise to considerable ! uproar. ! "You know its a lie," called out Mr | H. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christj church East) . He was called upon to j withdraw the remark. Mr W. E. Parry (Labour, AuckI land Central) , denied that the organ- { isations refefred to were affiliated to , the Labour Party or had contributed to the party funds. The debate will be continued to■morrow, when an amendment to Mr Holland's motion will be moved by Mr | C. A. Wilkinson (Independent, Eg1 mont) who is dissatisfied with the Government's policy in not bringing down the rate of interest. !