Parliament Sits All Night

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 3

Parliament Sits All Night

(Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, May 26. Parliament rose at 8.25 a.m. today after the second all-night sitting of the session —and returned to work at 10 a.m. to continue until 4.15 pjn. Last night’s debate on the Transport Amendment Bill lasted 17 hours under urgency during which time the controversial measure was put through its second reading and committee stages. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) could have completed the terms of urgency—which were for the passing of the bill. He had said when moving urgency at 4 p.m. yesterday, however, that he would be content if the committee stage was passed, and when that occurred this morning he removed the urgency and moved the adjournment.

The bill has yet to have Its third reading. The earlier "all-nighter” this session, when the minibudget was introduced, was an hour longer. When the House resumed at 10 a.m. formal business was dealt with and the House went on (but not under urgency) to debate the second reading of the Customs Acts Amendment Bill. This Was still under discussion when the House rose. As the Transport Amendment Bill debate dragged on through the small hours, the ranks gradually thinned and at one stage the bells had to be rung, numbers had dwindled to 16. Some members fortunate enough to find their benchmates absent took the chance to stretch out full-length and take a nap. Those who lasted the night without slumber included the 85-year-old Labour member for Hutt, Sir Walter Nash, but an early “casualty” was the Social Credit leader, Mr V. F. Cracknell, who was not

present during the committee stages. Condemning the bill, the Opposition claimed it would lead to “savage” increases in transport costs, as well as a reduction in the Roads Board’s revenue. The Opposition forced 19 divisions. However, it was the Government, not the Opposition which was responsible for the all-night sitting. Four times Labour moved that the House report progress and ask for leave to sit again, But the Government, which took urgency, refused to accept a closure of the debate. One consolation for the Opposition was provided by a Government back-bencher, Mr W. H. Brown (Palmerston North), who voted against his party on the elapse providing for the 4d petrol tax increase to go to the Consolidated Revenue Account and not the National Roads Board. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) scored a point

off the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) at one stage in the debate.

Just before 2 a.m, Mr Holyoake rose to make "a constitutional point of order.” He produced a document saying that “Parliamentary proceedings should be changed to avoid the absurdity of sitting after midnight—which is not conducive to good government,” and then revealed this came from the Labour manifesto.

Mr Kirk grinned broadly, congratulated the Prime Minister—and promptly moved that the House should adjourn.

The Government found itself in the embarrassing position of having to call for a division to keep the debate in progress.

Faces bleary and suits crumpled, members emerged from the Chamber at 8.25 a.m.—just in time to snatch breakfast, and have a wash and shave before presenting themselves for the resumption of proceedings at 10 aun.