MR PAYNE SUPPRESSED.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15607, 3 June 1916, Page 2

MR PAYNE SUPPRESSED.

A NECESSARY MOVE TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY. (srECIAf- TO "THE I'RESS. : ') WELLINGTON, June 2. The Honsc spent most of this afternoon in discussing questions, eagerly welcoming this opportunity when the choice was offered of cither doing that or of hearing Mr Payne move the first reading of some six of the Bills of which ho had given notice. No very burning questions were ventilated, and members exhausted their grievances by 4.45 p.m., after which Mr Payne had three-quarters of an hour in which to introduce six Bills bearing the following imposing titles: A\ ar Relief of Soldiers' Dependents' Bill, Baby Bonus Bill, Lands Act Amendment Bill, Limitation of Area of Holdings Bill, Taxation of Unearned Increment 011 Sale oi Lands Bill, and Anti-German Bill. After Mr Payne had occupied some forty minutes in getting, leave to introduce three Bills, Mr L. M. Isitt rose, and said that he desired to cuter an emphatic protest against the waste of time and money tlia-t this sort of thing involved the country in. They all knew that these Bills wouid not go any further Mr Payne: JThat is Jiot my fault. Mr Isitt: And the expense the country was involved in nipt run ;nto something like £'oO or £SOlor a jaunt like this. If all the members of the House indulged in the same tactics, it would cost the country from £3000 to £4000, with no practical good whatever. I enter mv strong protest, and if the present Standing Orders admit of no blocking of this sort of thing. I hope tliev will be altered to protect the interests and finances of the country. Mr Masscy: The House will get an opportunity presently. The fourth of Mr Payne's Bills was then read a first time, after which the Prime Minister rose and gave notice of motion that on and after next sitting day Government business shall take precedence of all other business except local and private Bills. This motion was greeted with manifest relief by the House, as it wiit effectively prevent further waste of time in this fashion by Mr Payne. With three minutes to go, Mr Payne tried to put his view before the House. Hon. members, lie said, knew perfectly well that the only way a private member could get his ideas before Parliament was to introduce a private Bill, and if the House were honest these Bills would be taken on their yet the party in power blocked any member bringing forward a Bill which would be for the good of the people. Mr Nosworthy: Who is wasting time now? Mr Payne: You, Mr Nosworthy— you. Mr Nosworthy: No, you. Mr Pnvne: "No, you." and he accompancd his remarks with a grotesque imitation of an East .End Jew excitedlv talking with his hands to a reluctant customer. The Speaker's solemn <: I am sorry to interrupt the hon. gentleman," intimated the opportuno arrival of 5.30 p.m.. and the House adjourned in merriment.