CLOSURE ON PETROL BILL

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32459, 20 November 1970, Page 3

CLOSURE ON PETROL BILL

Labour criticism of Speaker

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 19. Eighteen Notices of Motion—the largest number recorded on any day this session—were accepted in Parliament today, reflecting the anger of the Opposition at the acceptance of the closure motion in last night’s debate on the petrol tax bill.

seven opposition members were specifically critical of the Speaker (Sir Roy Jack), one going so far as to say that Sir Roy Jack had lost the confidence of the Opposition. Two more condemned the Government for retreating from debate and stifling discussion. Government members reified by "deploring the outlurst” of the member for Island Bay (Mr J. G. O’Brien, Lab.), "deploring the constant tactics of the Labour Opposition in trying to cast doubts on the impartiality of the Speaker,” and “noting with regret the unsportsmanlike attitude of the Opposition." First on his feet when the

time for Notices of Motion arrived was the Opposition Senior Whip (Mr H. L. J. May). He gave notice of his intention to move that the House condemn Mr Speaker for the acceptance of the closure motion after only eight Labour members had had an opportunity to discuss the Local Authorities (Petroleum Tax) Bill in its second reading. He accused Sir Roy Jack ot poor judgment and partiality. He was joined in a chorus of criticism of the Speaker by Mr J. G. O’Brien (Lab., Island Bay), Mr P. Blanchfield (Lab., Westland), Mr T. J. Young (Lib., Hutt), Mr F. M. Colman (Lab., Petone), Sir Basil Arthur (Lab., Timaru), Mr G. Christie (Lab., Napier), Mr J. A. Walding (Lab., Palmerston North), and Mr I. J. Brooks (Lab., Marlborough).

Mr E. S. F. Holland (Nat.. Riccarton) said he deplored the outburst of the member for Island Bay after the bill had been debated both in its introductory and secondreading stages, and the Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) moved that the House call on the member for Island Bay to reconcile his attitude on the bill with that of his Labour colleagues on the Wellington City Council. The Parliamentary Undersecretary to the Minister of Education (Mr Gai l- ) accused the Opposition of an unsportsmanlike attitude resulting from “sour grapes.” ■ Mr A. J. Faulkner (Lab., Roskill) lightened the tone of proceedings with a Notice of Motion which, he said, sprang from the almost continuous reshuffling of Cabinet Ministers. Mr Faulkner said the Government should make a regular weekly statement which clearly indicated which minister was responsible for that week for which portfolio.