Doubts cast on Govt tenure

Press, 17 April 1982, Page 1

Doubts cast on Govt tenure

PA Wellington The inability of the Government to gain a clear majority in the first week of' the Parliamentary session raised the question of hdw long it could last, said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) yesterday.

He was commenting after the Speaker, Sir Richard Harrison ■ used his casting vote.-yesterday to set a Government bill to increase car relicensing fees introduced, by 39 Votes to 38. It is the first time that Sir. Richard as Speaker' Has needed to exercise the option... - Mr Rowling said outside the House that the Transport Amendment Bill was a money bill. With no-confid-ence motions,. money bills were regarded traditionally in Westminister democracies as tests of the Government’s ability to govern. The Speaker’s right to make a casting vote could not be challenged. However, as the bill was a money bill imposing a considerable burden on motorists, and was thus by definition a test of confidence in the Government, the bill should be sent back to the Government for reconsideration, Mr Rowling said. ■' ’ ■ /

Labour was criticised by the Social Credit ■ deputy leader, Mr G. T. Knapp.. Tor allowing the Government- to have seven pairs. 7

Mr Knapp sdid that piost of the pairs were granted without any justification.: Labour’s stand in opposing the bill was both cynical ant farcical when it could have withdrawn the pairs and defeated . the Government’s measure, he said. -

Earlier; report, : page 2