OBSTRUCTION ALLEGED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1051, 15 August 1930, Page 10

OBSTRUCTION ALLEGED

Mr. Forbes Charges Reform “BUSINESS OF HOUSE HELD UPImperial Conference Trip THE SUX'S Parliamentary Reporter W ELLINGTON, Thursday. ROUNDS of Government applause greeted the Prime ter, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, in the Houss Represent*, tives this afternoon when he sat down after delivering a vehement attack on the Opposition for holding up the business of the House in the debate on the Customs Acts Amendment Bill and prejudicing his chances of getting away to the Imperial Conference, with the result that he had suspended arrangements for his departure. The charges were vigorously replied to by the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon, J. G. Coates, who said that the Reform Party had not hindered and was not hindering the Prime Minister.

Support to the Prime Minister’s at- 1 tack was given by the Leader of the • Labour Party, Mr. 11. E. Holland, who ; said that Mr. Forbes had reason for j complaint. H© renewed the Labour j Party’s previous offer of co -operation, j

During the progress of the debate on the Bill, said the Prime Minister, he had tried to exercise as much patience j as possible as Leader of the House, but j after the adjournment of this morning j he had felt that he was not getting j the assistance in facilitating the busi- I ness of the House that he had been led to expect. With the introduction of the Bill, there had been nine hours ol debate and the proceedings of yesterday and all last night nad been too protracted. Obstruction, deliberate and arranged, was apparent in the opinion of Mr. Forbes. He had been led to expect different treatment, but during the sitting last evening he had been subjected to cheap sneers by the Reform Party as to his trip to the Imperial Conference. He did not desire to attend the conference in such circumstances. Recognising the importance of the conference, Mr. Forbes had agreed to go, but he did not desire to j leave the country in its present linan- j cial circumstances. “A RIGHT TO COMPLAIN’’ The Prime Minister had been told to expect assistance from the Reform Party and he thought he had a right to complain. He would say nothing about the Leader of the Labour Party. This morning a challenge had been issued that the Government was running away from its responsibilities and was not prepared to stand behind its legislation. Mr. Forbes felt that he could not retain his self-respect and could not go to the conference in circumstances like those. “Therefore,” he said, “I have given instructions for the suspension of the arrangements for my departure until such time as the financial measures I am responsible for and which l think are in the best interests of the country, have been passed. I am very disappointed at the treatment I have received from one party in f he House.’ There was a burst of applause from the Government benches as Mr. Forbes, a little flushed, sat down again-

Immediately the Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates,

rose and expressed his surprise at f speech of the Prime Minister, ani ssj he could not understand Mr. Forbes attitude. He defied the Prime Minisv - to give an instance of his having doanything to hinder his decart ure. t the Prime Minister looked up th« t* cords of the speeches made during th debate, he would find more Labtr members had spoken than Reform. ] was obvious that the Prime Mini*, had not given careful thought to h words. Mr. Forbes: 1 know exactly has been going on. Mr. Coates: Then' the tionourao' gentleman knows more than we do. MEMBERS’ RIGHT TO SPEAK Tic Prime Minister, he continued knew that he was going to the Impend Conference, and knew the attitude of tin* Reform Party, but did Mr. obj. *-t to any recommendation and did he consider any amendment frivolous Did the Prime Minister think that hiproposals constituted the last word ato how the people should be taxed» Every amendment moved, claimed M Coates, had been the result of the definite opinions of members of thHouse and every member had a righto speak on such an important measure —it was his only opportunity The speaker himself had not openhis mouth in the debate until the second schedule was under discussion and Mr. Forbes must realise tha* though the Bill might be termed shor.. it covered the w hole range of the tariff. The Prime Minister had referred to the Labour Party. Mr. Coates did no* complain. If the Labour Party was in favour of some of the proposals, that was all right. Mr. Forbes had the right to say what he thought.

Mr. Forbes: Is there not a suspicion of tedious repetition?

Mr. Coates: That is for the chairman of committees to decide. He continued that he must point out to the House and the country that his pair objected to some of the proposals. The Prime Minister’s remarks about obstruction were uncalled for The rightof Parliament had been fought for in the past and Parliament must still have the right to settle questions and mak use of the Constitution. Mr. Forbe> would get away to the conference, bn: he must at least give the House leave and opportunity for discussion. LABOURS ATTITUDE The Leader of the Labour Party. Mr. H. E. Holland, said he wamuch concerned about the position. there was a point of honour involved When he and Mr. Coates had met thPrime Minister he (Mr. Holland) ha. given a unanimous assurance fim the Labour Party that there would bno hold-up and every endeavour would bo made to facilitate Mr. F;u*bes’s departure for the Imperial Conference. Mr. Holland said that at any part of the proceedings the Labour Party wiwiilling to end discussion. The Prir. Minister, Mr. Holland considered, hai good reason to complain at his treament, for both parties had given th?:: word to assist him. The Prime Mirister had placed his legislative pro posals before the party leaders, anc yet of the measures only the Custom.Bill was being oonsiderod. The:were only a few days left in whicl to deal with the rest of the legislation Mr. Holland renewed his offer on behalf of the Labour Party to honour its promise and enter into an arrange ment for passing the legislation. E suggested that the three parties ento: into a business-like arrangement and curtail discussions, making it certai* that the Prime Minister would go : London. It seemed to Mr. Holland tha business-like methods were not adopt? in the conduct of the affairs of th? House