"STORM IN TEACUP"

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 58, 30 October 1931, Page 3

"STORM IN TEACUP"

("Post" Special Commissioner)

SITTFNG HOURS MOTION FOR EXTENSION MADE OPPORTUNITY FOR CRITICISM WANT OF LEADERSHIP ALLEGED

WELLINGTON, Thursday. In the House of Representatives today, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, moved to extend the hours of sitting from 2.30 p.m. to midnight on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of eaeh week during the remainder of the session. Mr. R. A* Wright (Reform, Wellington Suburbs), suggested that the House should rise on Saturday at 11 p.m. in order to suit the eonvenience of members of the staff. Mr. J. T. Hogan (Independent, Rangitikei), protested against the proposal. "We have been here for four months wasting time," he said, and practically nothing has ' heen done because the House has not been led. There has been nothing but shiilyshallying and backing and filling ever since June. last." Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Labour, Auckland suburbs), agreed with Mr. Hogan. He said that the whole 'initiative was in the hands of the Prime Minister, and without capable leadership the House could do nothing. The resnlt was that not only was the Government blamed, but also the whole House was blamed by the people. The leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, said tbat one cc-uld quite readily endorse Mr. Hogan's remarks. The Labour Party would honour the promise it had given to expediate the business of the House. It had insisted all along that this Parliament should get to the eleefcors as quickly as possible. Quite enough misehief had been done already and the sooner the House got to the electors the better for all coneerned. The longer Parliament sat the more damaging would be the legislation jut tb.rough Mr. Holland expressed the hope that the Broadcasting Bill would be put through and added that memhers wanted to see it passed and the present arrangement so far as the Broadcasting Company was coneerned terminated. He also wanted to see the Transport Licensing Bill passed. Such Bills could be passed, provided the House got down to business. The Rt. Hon. J. G. COates said there was no need for irritation. They were now nearing the elections and eustom would have to be followed. It was necessary that a numher of innoeents should he slaughtered. "Wo have had a storm in a teacup over a simple motion moved by myself," said the Prime Minister. He said that it was not the intention of the Government to work all hours. The whole matter rested entirely with members themselves and the objections which had been raised had been raised by some of the most voluble members of the House. He did not think the country would be concerned if the House was asked to sit an additional one and a-half hours a day.