Session ends on a sour note

Press, 15 December 1979, Page 2

Session ends on a sour note

PA Wellington Parliament ended its session on a slightly sour note yesterday when the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) accused the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) of making an "ungenerous” reference to the Leader of the House (Mr Thomson). “I want, to say to him I reject and regret his ungenerous reference to the Leader of the House,” said Mr Muldoon.

“I suggest for his cosideration that this House requires not one leader, but one leader on each side. And at times there has only been a leader on this side.” Mr Muldoon said Mr Rowling had injected a controversial note into the valedictory speeches.

Mr Muldoon made his comment after he, Mr Rowling, and the Speaker (Mr Harrison) had made their traditional valedictory speeches when they thank everyone, from the Bellamys’ waitresses to the gardeners, for their work during the session. In his valedictory speech, Mr Rowling said Mr "Thomson’s appointment had been an innovation this sesion and it was perhaps too early yet to make an assured comment on the measure of its success.

After saying that it had certainly reduced some of the earlier bitterness and !

overcome some channels of communication that appeared to be closed off, Mr Rowling said: "But one is still left with the inescapable impression that Mr Thomson has been given a task but is still denied the real power of decision.” The comment drew a sharp reaction from Mr Muldoon. He expressed his “deep appreciation” of the way Mr Thomson had carried out his duties. “He has been firm but courteous, and tolerant but not to the point of weakness,” said Mr Muldoon. “He has relieved me of much responsibility and for that I am indebted to him.” During the session Mr Thomson was responsible for deciding the House’s order of business and ensuring that Parliament made< reasonable progress. He often stepped into tense debating situtions to smooth ruffled feathers and avoid potential flashpoints. Mr Muldoon expressed concern about the number and nature of members’ notices of motion this session. There were 774, 85 more than last, year, but only 55 were debated. “This fact alone should cause some members to pause in their pursuit of often meaningless notices of motion, a number of which may be intended only to raise a laugh in this cham-

ber,” Mr Muldoon said. [“They should remember that the world outside does not spare their sense of humour, if indeed it ever reads or hears of these notices of motion.” In his speech, Mr Rowling praised the Speaker, whose firm control of the House was one of the features of the session. Mr Rowling praised Mr Harrison’s tolerance and wisdom in maintaining discipline in the House. Parliament sat on 113 days during 1979, with 21 hours after midnight, compared with 62 hours after midnight last session. It passed 148 bills. While the legislative pro-1 gramme contained a number, of controversial measures,, for example the Remunera- [ tion Act and the National, Development Act. one of its! significant features was the; number of law reform measures handled by the Minister of Justice (Mr McLay). Further reform in this area is intended for next year with the introduction late in the session of bills relating to marriage and the promise of a major review of the liquor licensing lawe.

On the latter, Parliament might be faced with another conscience vote on whether to lower the general drinking age to 18. Important legislation on electoral law might also be introduced next year.