BREEZE IN HOUSE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 236, 18 July 1947, Page 4

BREEZE IN HOUSE

MR HOLLAND MOVES ADJOURNMENT PRIME MINISTER DISAGREES WITH MR SPEAKER (P.A.) • WELLINGTON, This Day. Something like a trial of strength loomed up unexpectedly in the House of Representatives to-day when Mr S. G. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, moved the adjournment of the House in order to discuss a matter of urgent public importance. It was: “That the Government's general policy and administration, but particularly its legislation making provision for the five-day week and the restrictive effect of stabilisation, have resulted in such a grave shortage of nursing and domestic' staffs required in mental, maternity and general hospitals as to render it impossible for the Government and hospital boards to provide adequate service required, thereby endangering the lives and/or the health of many people.”

Mr Speaker (Mr R. McKeen) accepted the motion as coming within the Standing Orders, but when Mr Speaker formally put the motion to the House, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, immediately raised a point of order, claiming that the references to stabilisation, the fiveday week and other matters which the House had discussed one hundred times were not permissible in a motion for the adjournment, which must be limited to'an urgent public question not previously, discussed. A brisk discussion ensued on the point of order until, when Mr Fraser intervened again, Mr Holland remarked: “This is only trifling with the chair.” Mr Fraser: “If there is any trifling with the chair, it is only by those who are trying to dictate to the chair.” Mr K. J. Holyoake (Pahiatua): “The Prime Minister is trying to dictate to the chair.” Eventually Mr Speaker ruled that the motion was in order, and Mr Fraser, interrupting Mr Speaker, thereupon expressed his disagreement with the ruling. Opposition voices: “Order! Order! it.” ' Mr Fraser said he would not obstruct the present motion, but he' believed it w r as vital to the future business of House that ‘Mr Speaker should. I§|ieonsult all the authorities and- • rule P-later as- to the admissibility of the full text of the motion. i .. Mr Holland’s motion was then placed before the house for discussion.