“PECUNIARY INTEREST”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1075, 12 September 1930, Page 16

“PECUNIARY INTEREST”

MEMBER’S RIGHT TO SPEAK UPHELD MR. JONES AND MEAT BOARD THE SUX'S Parliamentary Reporter PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Thurs. An unusual incident occurred in the House this afternoon just before the tea adjournment when Mr. D. Jones (Reform —Mid-Canterbury) was discussing the report of the Stock Committee on the Meat Control Amendment Bill, introduced by Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Reform —Gisborne). After Mr. Jones, who is chairman of the Meat Control Board, had been speaking for some time, Mr. Lysnar rose to a point of order, and quoting Standing Order 221, claimed that Mr. Jones should not be allowed to proceed. The standing order lays it down that no member shall be entitled to vote on any question if he has a pecuniary interest in it. and that any such vote must b© disallowed. Mr. Lysnar said that Mr. Jones drew £550 a year as chairman of the Meat Export Control Board. Mr. F- Langston© (Labour —Waimarino): £650. Mr. Jones, claimed Mr. Lysnar, was not entitled to vote on any question affecting the board, and if he were not allowed to vote lie should not be allowed to speak on the subject. Mr. Speaker ruled that members could discuss Bills and questions whether they had any personal interest in them or* not. Voting was a different matter and the question would have to be raised at the time of the division. The adjournment ended an incident at which members chuckled.