COUNTED OUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 42, 20 February 1933, Page 5

COUNTED OUT.

BY LABOUR MEMBERS. COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. OPPOSITION TO CLOSURE. (By Telegraph.—Parli«m«ntary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Indignation to the extent of counting out the Chairman of Committees (Mr. S. G. Smith) was displayed in the House on Saturday night during discussion of one of the penal clauses of the Sales Tax Bill. Amendment after amendment, designed to modify the clause, had been moved by the Labour party, one of whose members, Mr. W. Nash (Hutt), came into disagreement with the lit.

Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Customs, the latter contending that the provision applied only to licensees and did not make anyone else liable to prosecution. Mr. Nash continued to press his contention, but the Minister brought discussion to an end by moving the closure. "That is most unfair," said Mr. Nash. "The Minister lias not replied to my argument." The Chairman said he would accept the motion in view of the long discussion that had taken place on the question of penalties. "This is the gag," interjected Mr. D. W. Colcman (Labour, Gisborne). "You have not given me a chance to put my case," complained Mr. Nash. "I was interrupted every time I started." For a few seconds there was a running fire of comment, and then one or two members started the counting-out process. They were joined by others, and the word "out" was delivered lustily. The insult was. ignored by the Chairman, and the vote proceeded quietly.