The Stonewall.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 70, 22 November 1913, Page 5

The Stonewall.

ADJOURNED T6LL MONDAY,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[Per Press Association.]

Wellington, November 21

The House resumed at 2.30 STILL FRIVOLLLMi.

At 3.30 Mr G. W‘, Hassell Is amend

mont was rejected by 39 to 12. Air G. Forbes immediately moved that the chairman leave the eimir. Only two words of the Ball had been passed, and Mr Forbes advocated a con-

ference to see if a compromise could

not be arranged. The Hon. 11. H. Rhodes raised a point of order that precisely the same arguments had been used *on the previous motion, that the Chairman leave the chair, and asked the Chairman to rule whether this line of argument could be continued. Mr A. S. Malcolm said that it was a line point whether a member would he guilty of tedious repetition by using arguments in connection with one motion that had already been used in connection with another. He would not rule offhand, but would reserve his decision, and rule later on. Mr W. A. Yeitch; May I speak to the point of order? The Chairman: Xo.

The debate was continued and at I p.m. Mr Bell relieved Mr Malcolm in the chair.

Mr Russell immediately inquired whether Air Bell was properly in the chair.

Mr Bell ruled that under the rulings of Speakers he \#s properly in the chair.

Mr Ru ssoll then quoted the Standing Orders in support of his argument, which laid down that a panel of three members shall be appointed by the House each session to act, as deputychairmen. He moved to take the Speaker’s ruling on the matter. When the Speaker took the chair, Mr Russell explained that any political novice may he invited to take the chair by the retiring chairman. It would be in the power of that man to wreck the career of the oldest member of the House. He maintained that the House should have a say in the appointment of a panel of deputychairmen.

The Speaker said that though the provision mentioned by Mr Russell existed, it had been used but once in the past 20 years, and then it was found unworkable. He’ decided that the ruling given by Mr Bell was cor-

rect, * 1: I be Committee then resumed

The debate dragged on on familiar Hues till 9 p.m., when a division was taken on the motion to'report progress. This was defeated by 38 .to oi

A division was immediately taken on an amendment to alter the title of the Bill, and this was defeated by 33 to 23.

At midnight an appeal was made to the Speaker, who delivered a rebuke on the subject of frivolous amendments.

A long debate started on an amendment by Mr Russell to delete the word ■’Legislature” from the title.

The House- was left sitting at 2

CONTINUATION OF STONEWALL. A BREEZY TIME. PREMIER '‘WILL SEE IT THROUGH.” ADJOURNMENT AT 8.12 a.m. Wellington, November 22. Alter the Telegraph Office closed, the House continued to discuss Mr Russell’s proposal to delete the word “Legislature” from the short title of the Bill. Speakers exercised ingenuity to show reason why the word should or should not be retained, frequently running tile gauntlet of the chairman’s displeasure for irrelevancy, but the sitting passed off without any incident. Ihe discussion on the amendment had lasted for 7.1 hours when Sir Joseph Ward rose just before S o’clock and suggested that in view of the fact that members desired to attend the funeral of their late colleague, Mr Laurenson, the House should adjourn till 2.30 on Monday. He said members felt it hurtful to their feelings to come back and indulge in party warfare after paying respects to the dead, and if the Premier would agree to the suggestion, the Opposition would alhnv the short title to pass without further discussion.

Aii - Massey, in reply, said he had his duty to iho country to consider, and ho would do it. Arrangements had boon mado to onahlo members to pay tlun’r respects to tlio moiuory of l ln - late .Mr Lautonson, and the House would adjourn till 2..‘50. If more Jjad lit'on necessary, it would have hoou done. Ho, however, considered Sir Joseph Ward’s reference to Air Laurenson most improper under tlio circumstances, hut if the Opposition would jjass Hie next clause he would a {tree to adjourn till 2.J0 on Monday. Hon Memhers: “That is the whole mn.”

Air Massey: “It is not the whole Hill ” Continuing;: Hut whatever the eons(*(|uences lie was going to see it through.

Sir Joseph AVard : “So are we,” Continuing, Sir Joseph TV'aid said there had I icen a proposal which was a reasonable one, and he was sorry it was not accepted. ITe would now light the is-ue right through, no matter what the consequences were or how long it

took. Mr Ala::ey renntnlm, So T pceph

Ward that when the Second Ballot Electoral Bills were before the House, his party protested, hut did not stonewall. The (Opposition were now trying by improper means to force the will of the minority on the majority. Sir Joseph Ward ( claimed that they were fighting for the principle of majority representation. The country never declared in favor of minority representation. All he asked was that some alternative for the second I,allot should be given, and this had been refused. He had also asked that the question be postponed until an Electoral Bill was brought down next year, when it could receive proper consideration. The method was most unusual to tack on to a measure passed by the other House an important alteration such as the repeal of the Second Ballot. Mr Massey admitted that the meI rliod was unusual, but claimed that [the circumstances were unusual. I Sir Joseph Ward was then proeeed- | ing to refer to the numerous amendi ments to the Bill which the Opposition proposed to move when Mr Massey interjected: “You try it on. I can tut the Cordian knot when the time comes, and I will do it.” Sir Joseph Ward: “You can’t do it-” Mr M tssey, amidst some uproar, reiterated that ho could, and he would. He further stated that three-quarters of the members were pledged to the repeal of the Second Ballot, and would have some difficulty in explaining their present attitude. Hon Members: “We want a substitute.” Mr Massey was about to continue when Mr Xgata rose and objected to the discussion being carried further, amidst cries of “Gag!” “Gag!” from the Government benches. Sir Joseph Ward then rose to say that he had no objection to Mr Massey proceeding when .he was also objected to, and amidst concision Mr Massey moved that the House adjourn till 2.30. The House rose at 8.12 a.m. | LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Wellington, .November 21. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. The Bank of New Zealand Bill passd through Committee and was read

>, third time. The Local Bodies Loans Bill was further considered in Committee, and reported with minor amendments. The Council then went into Committee on the Mutual Fire Insurance Amendment Bill. A new section was added providing that the Association may insure against lire the buildings, machinery, plant and products of any co-operative daily company registered under Part t 3 of the Dairy Industry 'ct, 1908. whether such co-operative hairy company is or is not a member of the Association, provided that except, as aforesaid, it shall not ho, competent for the Association to insure ,hc property of persons who are not molnbers of the Association.—The Bill was reported with amendments. The Hon. F. H. Bell moved the second reading of the Board of Agriculture Bill.—The second reading was carried, and the Council rose at 5.10 p.m.