LATE SITTING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 48, 6 December 1945, Page 4

LATE SITTING

BITTER ARGUMENT IN HOUSE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The House of Representatives sat until 1 o’clock this morning. The Atomic Energy Bill was passed with general approval, and the Native Purposes Bill went through with little discussion. The House then settled down to a long discussion on .the Factories Amendment Bill, which was passed about midnight. A bitter argument then developed on the remaining clause of the Statutes Amendment Bill, that providing for the reference of share-milking agreement disputes to the Arbitration Court. Opposition speakers contended that this would interfere with the ordinary relationship between a contractor and his employer. The Government insisted on the clause, which was adopted by 39 votes to 32 on a division. Urgency had also been taken for the Minimum Wage Bill, but consideration of this was deferred until later today. Neither the Superannuation Bill nor the Finance Bill was ‘introduced yesterday, but the Supplementary Estimates were brought down. Ministers’ replies to members’ questions were circulated but not discussed. On present indications the session is not likely to end before Saturday.