MEAT CONTROL BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 42 (Supplement)

MEAT CONTROL BILL.

BREEZE IN THE HOUSE. TALK ABOUT TRUSTS. AN EARLY MORNING DEBATE.

(By Telegraph.-Special to "Star.' , )

WELLINTOX, this day. A "breeze" occurred in the House of Representatives after 1 o clock this morning, when the Premier endeavoured to persuade Mr. W. D. Lysnar to allow his amendments to the Meat Control Amendment Bill to go before the Agricultural and Stock Committee Mr. Massey said the b:ll before the House was not controversial, but the amendments, if passed, would cause a revolution. vi.ii. ksii Mr. Lysnar suggested that the bill, as well as his proposal, ehould go to a committee, but the Premier would "Ih-Tl Holland asked Mr. to rive Mr. Lynar an assurance that the°House would have an opportunity of dealing with the proposals. The Premier said that was intended, but when Mr. McCombs asked, This session V" Mr. Massey hotly accused ham of suggesting intrigue. Mr Lysnar complained that JUT. Massey was forcing on an unseasonable position, the time being well after one in the morning. The Premier retorted that he was being kept in the House when his health was not good. Mr Lysnar: The producers are not considered, but big trusts and combines arc. Mr. Massey warmly repudiated tlus accusation, and sad Mr. Lysnar had gone too far. The proposals would require to be put before the producers. Mr. • Lysnar moved to report progress, but this was defeated by 30 votes ajrainst 24. The House then settled down to a debate on the bill and the amendments led by Mr. Lysnar. Mr. Lysnar at 2 a.m. was roundly condemning those who had "skulked and crawled" after the Government and voted against reporting progress. Hβ moved: "That the chairman (Mr. Young) leave the chair," and challenged every member with a spark of personal consideration other than party, which was the curse of the Dominion, to support him. The House became hilarious when Mr. Edie (Clutha) spoke in support. Mr. Corrigan described the proceedings as a screaming farce. Mr. Edie retorted that it was too realistic to be a farce. air. McCombs (Lyttelton) followed with a pathetic description of the onerous duties of the Chairman of Committees, until Mr. Young modestly suggested another topic. The motion was defeated. Half an hour later Mr. Lysnar again moved to report progress, and, seeing a smile on Mr. Massey's face, suggested that the Premier show a bit of decent British respectability. Mr. Massey called him the most unreasonable man he had ever met in Parliamentary life—a compliment which Mr. Lysnar returned with interest. Then each dared the other to make threats. Mr. Lysnar said Mr. Massey had not played the game, and had merely used him. Mr. Massey: No. Mr. Lysnar expressed intense satisfaction at being an independent member, who did not answer the crack of the Government's whip, and who only on a few minor occasions voted against his conscience for party reasons. Mr. Massey had led him to believe he was against trusts, and that he would show it. Mr. Massey: I stand up to every word. Mr. Lysnar: What's the use of that if you don't act up to it. Mr. Massey: I don't" do business with trusts. Mr. Lysnar's amendments were defeated one by one. He complained that he had been tricked by the Government, for he had been told the Meat Control Amendment Bill would not come on, and his supporters had drifted away, while the Government had mustered their forces. The Meat Export Control Amendment Bill was set down for the third reading on the next sitting day. The House rose at 3.40 a.m. till 7.30 p.m. on Monday.