PARLIAMENT Ribaldry, Anger In The Early Morning

Press, Volume C, Issue 29591, 14 August 1961, Page 12

PARLIAMENT Ribaldry, Anger In The Early Morning

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 13. A Government member voted against his own motion and a former Labour Minister told another former Labour Minister to “shut up” in unprecedented scenes in the House of Representatives early yesterday. At times members were convulsed with laughter. At other times they shouted angrily at each other across the floor of the House.

The House in committee was debating the International Finance Agreements Bill authorising New Zealand membership of the International .Monetary Fund and World Bank.

The committee debate was completed at 4 a.m., and the House adjourned at 5 a.m. after sitting continuously since 2.30 p.m. on Friday. It was toe first time the House had sat on a Friday night since toe-debate on the abolition of compulsory military training in 1958. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) on Friday took urgency to get the committee stage completed in toe one sitting. The rowdy scenes in toe early hours of the morning came after a motion by Mr W. A. Sheat (Government, Egmont) to add another schedule to the six schedules in the bill. The schedules set out the articles of agreement of the I.M.F, World Bank and Intenational Finance Corporation, and the terms of New Zealand's admission.

Labour members tried unsuccessfully to get other schedules added setting out the organisations’ by-laws, rules and regulations. Schedule Moved Then, at 2-35 a.m, Mr Sheat moved that a schedule be added to the bill setting out:— A list of New Zealand delegates to the Bretton Woods conference (the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Nash, as Minister of Finance in 1944. headed the New Zealand delegation.) The text of a letter from Mr Nash to Mr Harry Dexter White of the I.M.F. in 1944 commending Mr White on the establishment of the fund. A statement by Mr Nash on his return to New Zealand from Bretton Woods in which he described the conference as a “plain, honest attempt to reestablish the world." Mr Sheat said Mr Nash had played a prominent part at Bretton Woods in the establishment of the I.M.F and World Bank, and these documents should be included

in the bill as a reminder of his work. The Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) said: “It is fitting that some tribute should be paid to the Leader of the Opposition for the very prominent part that he took in drawing up the Bretton Woods agreement.” The Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre) paid a tribute to Mr Nash’s work at Bretton Woods. Speaking loudly, he said: "The Leader of the Opposition went to Bretton Woods at danger to his life. It is fitting that we should record his part there for our children to see.” Mr Eyre banged his desk loudly in front of him as he spoke. Mr W. A. Fox (Opposition, Miramar) retorted by holding up a wastepaner tin and banging it. The Minister of Works (Mr Goosman) also spoke in favour of Mr Sheat’s motion. Mr Nordmeyer

Mr A. H. Nordmeyer (Opposition. Island Bay) said he was "amazed” at the Government's way of paying a tribute to Mr Nash. “If the Government is sincere. I would have thought it would have found some more suitable opportunity to pay a tribute to the Leader of the Opposition,” he said. Mr Nordmeyer said: “I wish the public could have seen Government Ministers acting and speaking in the way they did on this very important matter.”

He said the schedules of the bill could be “improved immensely” by including statements made by prominent members of the National Party against the I M F. and World Bank. Mr Holyoake said there was "something very attractive” about Mr Sheafs amendment and he would like to give it further consideration. “If it is thought the amendment is desirable, the bill could be recommitted and the amendment could be introduced by Governor-General’s message,he said. “Does the Opposition want the amend-

ment included?” Mr Holyoake asked.

Opposition members: Yes. The Deputy-Leader of the Opposition (Mr Skinner) supported Mr Sheat’s amendment. He said the amendment had been originated by the Prime Minister. "From where we are sitting we could hear the Prime Minister talking to his colleagues and arranging it,” Mr Skinner said. Mr H. Watt (Opposition, Onehunga) also supported Mr Sheat’s amendment. “The exhibition of the Minister of Defence was most disgraceful,” Mr Watt said. Apology The chairman of committees (Mr R. E. Jack) made Mr Watt withdraw this and apologise. The Parliamentary Undersecretary to the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr B. E. Taiboys) said he opposed Mr Sheat’s amendment.

“I know the work that the Leader of the Opposition did at Bretton Woods and I have gained something from reading his report on the settingup of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank,” he said. Mr Taiboys said: “The Leader of the Opposition was one of the original signatories of the Bretton Woods agreement, yet over the last few days he has been prepared to lead his party in tearing to pieces what he originally tried to build up.'* Mr Fox said be was surprised at the way senior Ministers had rpoken in support of Mr Sheat’s motion. “The Minister of Defence was full of enthusiasm," he said.Mr Nash, spozUciog with emotion, said; “tt I took note of what members of the Government have said I must think I am not worthy of being a member of this House. “I’ve never in my life seen anything corresponding with what I've seen from the Government of this country and its Prime Minister and leafing members tonight “I believed every word I

said when I wrote that letter to Mr Harry Dexter White, and I believed everything I said when I returned to New Zealand from Bretton Woods. I don’t want sympathy from anyone.

‘‘l am just dumbfounded to think the Prime Minister and leading Ministers have acted as they have done tonight. I believe I act up to my integrity always. I was hunt most by what the member for Wallace (Mr Tallboys) said,” Mr Nash said. WMle the Leader of tihe Opposition was speaking. Mr Holyoake spoke to the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) who was sitting beside him. Mr Nash:: What was that? Mr Holyoake: I was just speaking to my colleague. Mr J. G. Fdwards (Opposition. Napier): Typical ratlike behaviour. Another Apology Mr Jack made Mr Edwards withdraw and apologise. Mr Nash said: “In spite of what Government members say about me 'I can hold up my head with honour. I may have made mistakes and I know I have many faults but I have always tried to do what I thought was right. The way members have spoken about me tonight I feel I ought not to be in this House. But I will stay here.”

Turning to Mr Holyoake. he said: .“I don't want that cynical smile on your face sir.” Mr Holyoake: And I don't want that superior attitude of yours. Mr Nash said Mr Holyoake had suggested Mr Sheat’s amendment. “It then became a scene of ribaldry.” he said. Mr Nash was loudly applauded by Opposition members as he sat down.

Mr Stand said: “I plead as guilty as anyone to putting forward this amendment. I put it forward more in sorrow than in anger. “The Leader of the Opposition was enthusiastic about Bretton Woods and the International Monetary Fund when it was formed and I don’t believe he has changed his views one iota.

“But he has been pushed around by people like the member for Avon (Mr Mathison) and Opposition back-benchers. Tbe Leader of the Opposition has had to toe the line for years.” Mr Stand said.

He said: “I admit I helped to prepare the amendment, because I thought the Leader of the Opposition should be reminded of what he said about Bretton Woods when it was formed.”

Mr J. Mathison (Opposition, Avon) said be and the Leader of the Opposition had originally supported the Breton Woods proposals but had been disappointed at the way they tad been carried out.

Mr H. J. H. May (Opposition, Onslow) said the scenes in the House were “tragic from a Parliamentary point of view.”

Mr R. Macdonald (Opposition, Ponsonby) said: “I’ve never seen a greater circus act than I’ve seen this morning.”

Just after 4 a.m.. Sir Eruera Tirikatene (Opposition, Southern Maori) moved that the question be put. This was carried on the voices. Mr Jack then put Mr Sheat’s amendment There were loud “ayes" from the Opposition and “noes” from several Government members, including Mr Holyoake. The House then divided on Mr Sheat’s amendment. All the Opposition members in the House voted for the amendment and all the Government members present including Mr Sheat, voted against it. The amendment was defeated by 36 votes to 25. As members trooped back into the House from the division lobbies. Mr Fox called out: “The crucifixion of democracy.” Mr M. Moohan (Opposition, Petone) rose to a point of order. He asked the chairman if the mover of a motion was allowed to vote against it. Mr Sheat said he voted against his own motion because he had not intended to press it to a vote. "But I didn’t have a chance to withdraw my motion because the closure was moved first,” he said. Mr Jack said the mover of a motion could vote either for or against it. The House then divided on the motion to report the Bill Baek from the committee without amendment. The Government won the division and the Sneaker (Mr Algie) resumed the chair. The House divided again on the motion that the committee’s report be agreed to. The Government won this division by 37 votes to 25. 39 Divisions There had been 39 divisions since the committee stage debate began just after 5 p.m. on Thursday night. The Bill has been set down for its third reading when the House meets on Tuesday afternoon. The House will also consider the report of the public petitions A to. L committee which has been hearing submissions on petitions seeking a referendum on joining the I.M.F. As weary members prepared to adjourn ht 5 a m Mr Algie drew a roar of laughter when he said: “As one who has not had the ooporlunity to make a contribution to the debate may I offer a few lines alleged to have been said by Robert Bums: The Church and State may go to hell but I’m going home to mum’."