“WE GO ON OR WE GO OUT”

Shannon News, 24 October 1924, Page 4

“WE GO ON OR WE GO OUT”

Prime Ministers Challenge To dtonewaliers HOUSE SITS ALL NIGHT. NON-STOP RUN ON GAMING BILL. THULIi THOUSAND POUNDS WORTH OF TALK. WELLINGTON, Oct. 23. Alter tlie telegraph office closed me discussion on tile Gaming Bill proceeded unabated. Time Chairman gradually began tQ rule out certain topics which Were being . discussed with great persistence, but title stone-, as speedily found new topics, so that attempts to limit the debate had but httle effect. At 4 a.m. Sir George Hunter ielie.v.ed Mr Young in the chair,, while the majority oi the members in the Chamber Continued- their slumbers.

For several hours the discussion centred round a suggestion made by Mr’ Harris that the question of additional permits be iiia.de the subject of a referendum. Since the matter evidently could not he settled by tire House it should be referred to the people . , The direct question of inquiry mu racing conditions during the recess was also discussed, speakers declaring they would have none of it unless the personnel and order of reference of the Commission were fust agreed upon. As. the opponents of the measure were gradually exhausting their right to sseak on the short title, at 5/20 a.m, Mr Mcllvride (Labour) movei, to report progress o.n wha v t Mr Isiit described as “This wretched contemptible little Bill.” The discussion then took a neW turn, speakers; switching on to reasons Why progress, should be reportAt 8 a.m. it was estimated that the House had expended 51 hours, discussing thq Bill at a cost of £3060The Chairman then left the chair till 9.30 a,m» HOUSE STILL SITTING.

ANIMATED DEBATE AFTER BREAK ‘ FAST*

WELLINGTON, Oct. 23. When the House resumed at 9-30, the Chairman Qf Gommi.ttees an " nounoed that, under the Standing Orders, the motion to report progress had lapsed and the debate on the short title of the Bill would be resumed. Mr Parry, then proceeded to justify nis opposition to the Bill. ‘ PREMIER THREATENS TO USE GUILLOTINE. At 9.45, Mr Massey rose and said lie greatly regretted to. find the discussion still in progress. Be han hoped better counsels would have prevailed, but evidently that was not the case. What had taken place only went to show the necessity for the Standing Orders of the House being amended. He' had always been jealous of the freedom •of speech and consequently he never cared to have the Standing Orders so amended as to limit free speech. Mr SuHiy.ah: “We are not preventing your supporters, from speaking.” Continuing, Mi: Massey said there must be some form of closure. ' Mr Sullivan; ‘‘You are going i gag Parliament.” . Mr Massey said he was gomg m do nothing of the kind, but he gui.ng to follow the example of e.very great ParUainent in the British-Em-pire and have some form of closure. Mr Holland; “It is a pity you dm not think of that when . y°u were fighting the old age pensions.” FAITH WILL BE KEPT. Mr Massey said be had nothing to regret in connection with the old age pensions He made the .very suggestions which were now being embodied in legislation, but which were not accepted at the time. Coming back to . the. Bill Mr Massey said the position was that promises were made to certain sections, of the people that the Bill would be introduced this session. The question had been whether faitli was to be kept with these people. The matter had gone past that now anfi file question now was whether there was to be constitutional government or not. He stood by constitutional government every time. Mr Sullivan; “You have been the greatest dictator we have ever hud in the history o.f the country.” Mr Massey said he took that as a compliment. There were times when the Premier must assert himself if he was worth (his salt, but he had never' been tyrannical. In reference to the Bi.U, however, he said: “The passage of tins Bill cannot stop. We have put cur hands to the plough and we must go on.” Mr Parry: "We accept that challenge,’” Mr Massey: “Very well, the time has come for plain speaking. A voice; “Go tc> the country on it- ’ Mr Massey said he was willing to gq to fjhe country, but* it would be not bn the Bill but on the question whether Parliament '.was going to be governed by a minority. He huh made his position clear and he would stand by it, “We go on or go out.” RACING CONFERENCE THE BUG-

BEAR. Mr Holland asked what did the Prime Minister mean by his reference to constitutional government. Constit/utmnalJism wjas government carried on in compliance with the Standing Orders. In what manner had the Standing Orders been contravened. The Prime Minister’s attitude was doing Parliament no goodHe agreed that the Standing Orders should be amended, but the Prime Minister’s repentance cam© late. ui the day. When he was Leader of of the Opposition he took full advantage Qf the forms of the Bouse He wished to- suggest to the Prime Minister that, if the autocratic powers of the Racing Conference were considerably curtailed—if that were

done—ho did not ca,re much whether the extrq permits were granted of not, “Let the Prime Minister agree to that and we can get on with more important matters,” He agreed that .the Standing orders required amendment, hilt the rights • oi members must he conserved, * Evidently the BUI now became a Government Bill, and it deteated it would he an expression ■oi no confidence in the Government. Mr Massey said it was not a policy, Biii and was not a G ov ernnient measure. ii there was anything wrong With the position of jockeys he nau no/ doubt the majority oi the House would put that right although it was not in the Bill. , Discussion then reverted to short title Of the Bill. FLOOD' OF TALK STILL FLOWS. NO PROGRESS AT ONE O’CLOCK. WELLINGTON, Oct. 23 (1.5 p.m.) At 11.20, Mr Jordan, at the cio.se oi his speech, moved Thai the chairman do now leave the chair, and discussion swung round to giving reasons why this should be done or should not be done. This, together with points of order and suggestions oi compromise, served the opponents oi 1 the Bill with sufficient, ammunition to carry on the attack until one > o’clock, when the chairman left the 1 chair until 2.30 tf.m.