GETTING IT THROUGH

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 11, 7 October 1927, Page 12

GETTING IT THROUGH

PROGRESS ON CUSTOMS BILL “ONLY CO-OPERATION ASKED FOR” Although 4 was considered desirable to put th. Customs Amendment Bill through its second reading at one sitting of the House of Representatives,and to this end members were kept up until 3.15 o’clock yesterday morning, it is not the intention of the Government to rush the Bill, with its accompanying new tariff schedule, through its final stages. In the early hours of yesterday morning protest was made by the Opposition against the second reading being taken at one sitting, and while, in view of the momentous nature of the Bill, their views were supported by one or two members on the Government benches, a motion put at twenty minutes to 2, that the debate be postponed, was heavily defeated, only Opposition members 'voting for it. The Minister in charge of the Bill (Hon. W. D. Stewart) did not reply to the observations which had been made, and the second reading was carried on the voices. ■, Any apprehensions which members mav have had concerning the Government’s intentions in making progress with the measure were allayed in a discussion across the floor of the House which preceded the committal of the Bill vesterdav afternoon. “How far does the Government intend to go with the Bill in committee to-night?” asked the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland), who said it was quite obvious that the committee stage could not be completed at that sitting. "We have no intention of doing anything like that,” the Prime Minuter (Right Hon. J. G. Coates) replied. "AH we ask for is reasonable progress.” Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) : Can’t you fix a definite hour? The Prime Minister: No, I cannot. Mr. Holland: You would not suggest keeping us here until 3 o’clock, would you ? The Prime Minister: No. All Task for is co-operation. We want full and reasonable discussion. Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) : You will get that if you are reasonable. The Prime Minister (smiling) : I am never anything else but reasonable.

Mr. Holland: You were not reasonable last night. . . Mr. Coates said that when revisions of tlie tariff were before the last two Parliaments the second reading was put through at one sitting. There was nothing new in the procedure that had been followed on the present occasion. ' ~ Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) : But you are in the habit of making precedents, not following them. The Prime Minister: I can assure you that there will be ■ nothing but sweet reasonableness. We do not intend to sit late to-night. It would be unreasonable. Mr. Forbes: There was nothing unreasonable in the speeches last night. The Prime Minister: Oh, no. As long as we can get ahead we will be satisfied.

One hundred and seven Palmerston North retail shopkeepers petitioned Parliament yesterday, in strong opposition to any extension of the existing shop hours.