A LONG TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 252, 23 October 1924, Page 8

A LONG TALK.

EXHAUSTION TACTICS.

' ON PERMIT CONTROVERSY.

POMK PHASES OF STONEWALLING. (By Teleffrnpli.-Rppelfll to "Star.' , ) 1 WELLIXGTOX, Wednesday. With so much talk of obstruction on tlie Gaining Bill, the Government decided, after an all-night sitting on one motion of procedure, that it would face the Opposition forces to the limit. Accordingly, within ten minutes of the House resuming this afternoon, Mr. Young, Chairman of Committees, had endeavoured to put the question "That the short title of the Gaming Bill be adopted." This was immediately intercepted by Mr. Lee (Auckland East). ■who commenced the discussion, which every one expected to last until exhaustion by one side or the other compiled either defeat or compromise. The bill's supporters had simply to ensure that a bare quorum of twenty remained in the House, while those in opposition, who were found among nil parties, were faced with the heavy task of maintaining a. constant stream of talk as relevant as possible, always nnder the vigilant watch of the chairman. Mr. Lee declared that the country ■would be surprised to note the obvious intention of the Government, iiy placing the bill at the head of the Order Taper, to bludgeon it through the House. He sarcastically suggested that but for the fact that Reform members ■would desire to attend a race meeting on Saturday, the debate would be carried over the week-end, Mr. L. M. Isitt said he considered Mr. Massey had made the greatest mistake of his political life in pressing the bill. After an hour's discussion Mr. Massey Tose, and, in almost apologetic terms, explained his position. He had made up his mind, and he, was going through with the bill, 'because of promises made last session. There was no influence in connection -with the measure. He submitted the bill, and it was for Parliament to say what was to be done about it. The voting in the division on Tuesday (41 to 21) showed, a substantial majority in favour of the bill. Mr.. Sullivan (Avon):' You -would not get it through with a plebiscite of the people. Mr. Masaey: T do not think you are in a position to judge. Amusement was caused by Mr. liangFtohe, (Waimarino), who said it would he all right if people; attended race meetings and studied nature—the horses, the flowers, and the scenery — Thit all they did was to study the tote. 3l race meeting was nothing else but a gambling hell. ", After a couple of hours'. debate Mr. Harris (Waitemata), in an optimistic vein, offered the Minister in '■ charge of the bill a solution of the deadlock. 3?irst lie suggested the removal of the 1G permits from hunt clubs which had no racecourses, and the.removal: of 13. permits held by • racing clubs. The 31' permits released could be redistributed, instead' of issuing 31 new permits, to which objection was taken. A Shift System, ■ ■_'■'' : The dinner adjournment - passed, the debaite was resumed at 7.30 on the usual •lines, Gtfr. Wright a (Wellington Suburbs) Showing vigour tat introducing no" fresh points. As only thirty-one members were • present it was evident that opposition forces were operating a shift system to maintain relays of fresh speakers. Mr. Wright complained that the house was chloroformed. Everybody except opponents of the bill were significantly silent, thought some of them in the past years lhad made magnificent speeches on the subject, wJiich he would quote later on. (Laughter.) ' Mr. Harris calculated that £1200 of parliamentary time had Ibeen utilised discussing the matter so far, and he wqndered ihow much would >be spent by midnight on Saturday, when the House "would need to adjourn. iMr. Armstrong/ (Christchurch East), caustically referring <to the silent attitude of the Minister in charge of the Bill, declared that the expense of the Eon. Bollard's contribution to the debate ■was nothing short of a scandal. ' Mr. Monteith (Wellington East): He lias had twopence worth. (Laughter.) Mr. Potter (Roskill) made suggestions to the Minister for the licensing of bookmakers. 11 The Hon. A. D. McLeod said Qic was prepared to leave it to a commission to decide on the distribution of permits. He asked if Mr. Harris was prepared to give Tip a couplu of permits for Takapuna. Mr. Corrigan (Patea): Take them all. Mr. McOonibs ('Lyttelton): You can Jrave all mine. Blr. Parry (Auckland Centre) raised c. laugh. t>y drawing attention to Mr. Massey's entry into the House at about 9.30 p.m. The (Premier was wearing a red rose, and Mr. Parry remarked that the Premier ihad liis colours flying, and was evidently, ready to carry on the battle. Mr. Parry appreciated the significance of the colour ac a sign of conversion. * A (Labour Member: God forbid. X Laughter.) Expedients of Stonewallers. To maintain the torrent of talk opponents of the bill, sought to "draw" silent members into the discussion, but in vain. Mr. Monteith called them "frivolous, paltry politicians," but nobody protested. Mr. Isitt, however, was more successful. He explained, with great care, why it was necessary to charge higher prices for books as the result of the high cost of replacement. Mr. I/ysnar raised a point of order. "Ts it Tight," he asked, "to be discussing the sale of books? I suggest that it be stopped, otherwise we shall be here for a week." (Loud laughter.) Mr, T. 1L Wilford-. I contend it is in order, because he is showing what a gamble it is buying books, and we are discussing gambling. The L Chairman; There is no point of order. Mr. Wilford: Hear hear. (Loud laughter. J A False Alarm. At midnight the bells brought members scrambling into the House, but when they learned that it iras only a quorum, that was "wanted and not a division, they expressed their disappointment loud enough in the lobby to be heard in the House. Several opponents to the bill expressed regret that JVTr, Massey had .changed his views since 1907, which change 31r, O'Brien attributed to the . environment and influence of the Racing . Conference.. - Mr, J.. MoG, Dickson '(Chalmers) began a discourse on the All Blacks, and ! t ;iiiogised;Mr.- Glenn, a former All Black, , -who was-in ; the The-chai«nan

Bickson explained that lie was showing that members should be as proud of New Zealand-bred athletes as of Ivew Zealandbred horses. A digression on fox hunting, in which he next indulged, occasioned another reproof from Mr. Young, and at 12.30 a.m. the chairman announced that in future he would rule out all reference to the silence of the Minister in charge of the bill as tedious repetition. Mr. Sullivan (Avon) expressed mock disapproval at the competition amongst members to take part in the debate. He drew attention to the fact that birth notices cost proud parents half a crown each, but that newspapers published "foalings" free of charge. Members were too tired to smile. Mr. H. E. Holland asked the Minister when he proposed to move the adjournment. Did he intend to go on to-day, to-morrow, and right till the finish? Hon. R. F. Bollard: We have not made any progress. Mr. Holland made a strong appeal for some information on tbe point, but tbe Minister remained dumb. Mr. Kdie (Clutha) read out a list of signatories to a Dunedin petition against the bill, and gavp a siiort biographical sketch of several. Hon. MeLeod: They are all town men. ALL NIGHT SITTING. ADJOURNMENT FOR BREAKFAST. A TOUCH OF BURLESQUE. (Bj? Telegraph. -Special to "Star.' , ) WELLINGTON, this day. At S o'clock to-day the House of Representatives adjourned till 9.30 a.m. for breakfast, with the short title of t'>e Gaming Bill still under discussion. The nijjlit was spent in pure obstruction, the Chairman of Committees endeavouring to stem the tide by dominating tedious repetitions. He barred further references to race meetings, blacklisting of apprentices or otiier employees, and alleged victimisation of persons by the Racing Conference. A fresh touch of burlesque was introduced at 2.15 a.m. by Mr. H. Poland, who professed to be the Government's apologist for pressing on the bill. It had been recognised, he said, that Mr. Isitt's loyalty to the Government might be strained to breaking point, but it was felt that once the bill was out of the way his support would again be forthcoming. The Premier, lie said, had given pledges, and without the bill Matamata might not again get a permit. Then some of Mr. Massey's supporters at Pukekohe were anxious for a two-days' permit. The mere fact that Pukekohe was within 20 miles of Ellerslie was no argument against granting a permit there. "I have not the Government's authority for this," he continued, "but I honestly believe their attitude yesterday, to-day, and to-morrow is that if time is wasted on this measure it will be an excuse for dropping other measures." Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton): You have no right to give away Cabinet secrets. ■ At 3 a.m. Mr. McCombs suggested quite seriously acceptance of the Minister's proposal for a commission, independent, .with definite powers, for the redistribution of racing permits. #?,' ' '■,-" A New Day. jAppearance of daylight was welcomed as , ' a fresh topic af discussion, then supporters of the bill'began to make protests. . Mr. Veitch Mr. Isitt's speeches, "ranging from mock pathos to a schoolgirl giggle,", as a degradation of Parliament. It -was a question of whether the majority should rule. Reinforcements began to arrive shortly before 8 a.m., when Mr. Isitt asked for an adjournment ,to allow opponents of the bill an opportunity, to. show, by calling mass meetings, that there was strong public objection to it. ' , This was ridictiled by the Minister for Works, who declared it was becoming more and more apparent that democracy was not to rule in the Dominion. One reason why they should not report progress was that a minority of members was in favour of it.No Compromise. "I realise what is going on." de- j clared the Hon. Nos'worthy (acting as J Leader of the House in the absence of the Premier). "I realise that the member for Christchiireh North and a few others, unknowingly, have been made use of. I know 'what is behind this thing, and I am not going to advise the Prime Minister to make any compromise if I have to sit here two or three days." ■ ■ •