WEARY DEBATE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 461, 20 February 1933, Page 5

WEARY DEBATE

("Post" Special Commissioner).

long stonewall CROSS-CHAT AND CLOSURES KEEP HOUSE SITTING TIIROUGH NIGHT. NOT YET CONCLUDED.

Wellington, Sunday. After 58 hours of weary stonewall debate, during which there were 55 divisions and 10 applications of elosure, the House of Representatives is in adjournment until 2.30 on Tuesday Progress made on the Saies Tax Bill in Committee when the House rose at midnight on Saturday, leaves 16 clauses yet to he adopted in addition | to the exemption schedule. It will take another all night sitting on Tuesday and probably on Wednesday to finally dispose of the measure. An additional list of exempted items will be announced on resumption of the House, but it is \ understood that the Government will J seek to prevent fresh fuel being !j added to the ffire of the debate by j abandoning the schedules, and arranging to provide all exemptions by the ji issue of Order-in-Council. A Jaded House' It was a jaded house that dispersed within a few minutes of arrival of the day of rest. Although many members had almost reached the limit of their endurance, there was a surprisingly good attendance throughout the ordeal, and with the exception of one major outburst of feeling, relationships between the centending forces were the reverse of hostile. Throughout the stone-wall, Coalitionists resolutely refused to rise to bait sent out by tbe blockaders, who accordingly had to rely on their own verhal and physical stamina to maintain the hold. Application of Closure. Application of the closure was necessary on Saturday to secure the passage of the penal clause of the bill, but at the rising of the House, this section had not been completed. Three clauses remained to be disposed of. Opposition speakers made the most of the drastic nature of the penalties, notwithstanding that the majority are identical with the customs law which has been in operation in New Zealand for the past 20 years. The question was raised as to whether or not power to ipflict a fine of £100 for offences meant that the Magistrate had no other discrettion if he found the defendant guilty, but the Minister agreed to temper oif the clause to the extent of providing for recognition of a plea of ignorance or inadvertence. The talk went monotonously on. Mr. H. Ho^land (Coalition), exclaimed: "I must express amazement that a body of intelligent citizens and splendid men waste the country's time by blocking this bill. Why waste any more time. I want to eatch the ferry boat to-night." "You are hest home," said Mr. W. E. Parry. At 11.45 the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forhes, moved that progress be reported and after Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, moved the adjournment until Tuesday. Mr. Parry "Why?"