A LONG TALK

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 99, 23 October 1924, Page 6

A LONG TALK

GAMING BILL STONEWALL

CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE

RAISED

MR. MASSEY'S ULTIMATUM.

Sixteen hours of talk on the short title of the Gaining Amendment Bill brought the House of Representatives to the breakfast adjournment at 8 a.m. to-day. Opponents of the measure were 'sufficiently numerous to maintain the discussion on the shift system, though this paral-lel-with award conditions ceased at that point, the eight-hour day being out of the question. Under these ' circumstances Mr. Parry was quite vigorous at 9.30 when the Chairman of Committees resumed his seat, announcing that the motion to report progress, which has been discussed '..for so many; hours in the ' early morning, and which is reported on page 11, had elapsed. Mr. Parry's theme was a suggestion that the. Prime Minister attributed the ,loss of * 'six "good men. last election, to . the failure to carry needed amendments of the gaming laws. , The . member, however, found that this subject was on the "index." . "I ruled that out as tedious repetition at.1.23 a.m.," announced the .chairman. ' ■ : ..- . Mr. Holland : "Won't the Prime Minister be allowed to defend himself?" The Chairman : "I will rule out the Prime -Minister for tedious repetition.". (Laughter.) '. . ' Mr. Massey, who declared that' he was ,very fresh, after a good sleeg, made a.. vigorous protest against the •proceedings. He had expected, he said, to find that progress .had. been made, but he regretted to find the dis■cussion still going on, and it showed the necessity of some amendment of the : standing orders. He had not countenanced, 'anything which .would interfere^ with the right of free epeech, but some-^ thing of the nature of the closure would have to be adopted to end these unreasonable discussions. pir^^ n:;"YOUarego!nßWgaS .Mr. Massey: "No, but I will ask Parliament to follow the example of the Parliaments of the Empire, and provide something which will prevent what is; taking place." - Mr. : "What a pity, you did not. think of that when you fought the old age pensions." . - • i. '"A mos* unworthy suggestion,"' reported the Prime Minister. ■" "I made suggestions on the old age pensions •which are to be embodied in future leelslation."' . . ■ *i Mr n n^ ollail? : '"I-was talking about tho 90 hours' sitting." ■ Mr. Massey :. "I voted, for .the.first Old Age Pensions Bill, and made suggestions for the second which they would not adopt." He reminded the House that promises had: been* made .that urgently-needed amendments would be made in the gamiftg Jaws, and the txovernment and Parliament should honour those promises. "That ;is'important enough,' he continued, "but it is past that stage. It ,is a question whether constitutional government is to be maintained in' this country— (laughter)—whether the .majority should rule m Parliament." ' J i Mr. Sullivan :'•■ "You have been the most effective dictator in Parliament!" "WE GO ON, OR GET OUT." Mr. ;Massey: "I take that as a compliment from you! This; cannot stop ,here. ■ We have put our hands to the plough and we must go on no matter what tho consequences may be. We co on, or get out!" s '"Mr.^Parry: "We accept your . challenge. .... Another Labou/ member: '"Will, you m°ts°" Ule CoWtry on raping' pe r . Mr. Masseyi "We willgb on the question whether we are going to submit to the tyranny of a minority—whether the rights and freedom of British subjects are to be maintained." ' ' Mr. Holland: "Cut that out!" The, Prime Minister concluded with an emphatic that ho ' was leaving no doubt in members' minds regarding the position. WOULD THE GOVERNMENT • .^-Holland assured the Prime Minister that he,, too, was fresh, having had a good sleep. He was also keenly interested in the, constitutional position. How utterly simple ..must the Prime Minister be to suggest that mem- . tiers who were endeavouring -to get what their constituents desired .without infringing the Standing Orders were acting unconstitutionally.. It was very late m the day, for repentance by the Prime Minister m view of his past perform-.ances.-when he was in Opposition. It .might.be quite right to make promises to a section of the'community, but other sections also had rights. He advised the Government .'to let the Gaining Bill stand down until more' important questions had been dealt with by the .House. He took it that Mr: Massey s statement meant that the Bill had „c * ' Government measure, 'and Uiat, it the measure were defeated, the Government would resign. '_Mr. Massey, in reply, said that the Bul-was nvnci way a policy measure, .lie had said that. before and he would say it jgain. The Prime Minister stated that the opposition to the Bill would have to cease There was at one time a standing Order to put a stop to such tactics, but, unfortunately, a' decision of .Mr. Speaker had-upset that order .Having secured, the .permission of-tho House to make ah' explanation Mr L M. Isitt (Christelmrch North) said that the Minister of Railways had made a statement that Ho was tho tool of tho Labour Party. He resented that,' as he had. always fought against any increase in racing permits, and had plainly stated his intention'of fighting it this session. • ■....■.. "NO HVAY OUT j-GO' ON." Two more hours' discussion.produced no distinctive feature except one. Mr. Monteith elaborated what lie called "a way out." The Hon. W; Nosworthy (who was in charge of the House in the Prime Minister's absence, retorted: "I'll answer that now.' Go on !". •' ' "The Prime _Minister is too wily a bird to go to the country on a question of increasing gambling facilities,'1 was •Mr. O'Brien's opinion. Four periods of ten minutes each having been exhausted by the stonewallers, Mr. Jordan gave the discussion a new turn—and the speakers four more opportunities—by moving that the Chairman leave the chair. This motion produced many sympathetic references to the exhausting nature of" the Chairman's duties. Mr. F. Hockly (Rotorua), who had relieved the Chairman of Committees, ruled that any references 'to himself swere out of "order. Mr. Sullivan raised a. point of order, but the Chairman insisted on excluding personal references. "Ai 12,59 jaatiftif isk_si ws&kiiiiisiU

come in with new ideas, and will enter on a fresh discussion," announced Mr. Monteith, cheerfully. The possibility of discussing a compromise if there could be an adjournment was the main theme of subsequent speakers, until the Chairman vetoed it as tedious repetition. Speaking at noon,' Mr. Wright remarked that although there had been many • eloquent speeches, .no converts had been made on either side. • He was sorry to say that. v The only hope seemed to be the member for Ohinemuri. Mr. Poland: "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." _Mr. Edie (Clutha) related a conversation he had had with the member for Waipawa about the possibility of bringing the debate to an end. Sir George Hunter had asked how it was to be done, said Mr. Edie, and he had replied, 'yes, it can be done by a redistribution of seats'—l mean permits." Mr. O. Hawken (Egmont) and Mr. R. Masters (Stratford), suggested the possibility of a Commission being set up to consider the redistribution of permits. This theme was elaborated upon by Mr. Sullivan, who perceived a distinct chance of compromise in the idea. The Commission, could-have complete power to make a redistribution, without in any way increasing the t number of permits. Other speakers carried the discussion on till 1 p.m., when the Committee adjourned until 2.30 p,m. When the House resumed at 2.30 this afternoon Mr. Monteith again moved that the Chairman should leave the Chair. This, he said, would give t\§ Government an opportunity of bringing down legislation at a later date. Other members then proceeded to dwell' on other reas.ons why the Chair should. be vacated. . (Left sitting.) TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Your sub-leader of yesterday emphasises a matter of great importance to the community. ' The i Prime Minister complains of the waste of time over the Gaming Bill when he. himself ■is ° the culprit. Who wants these extra permits? Who wants increased facilities for gambling? Not the public, but only a few racing men, and must, they'be considered above the moral welfare of the whole community? Our Prime Minister's attitude to the racing business has come as a shock to his supporters, for all the churches are against him; and, in his precarious position he cannot afford to antagonise that virile and moral section which' would be glad to see gambling ■ and race-days diminished. It is evident that some of our legislators are mor> concerned about a horse-race than about the human race. We head the nations in gambling, and we don't need to increase our lead in order to get to perdition first. : To dragoon this | measure through Parliament is an utterly discreditable procedure, especially when the country has given no mandate to our legislators; All honour to tK,e men who are leading the opposition, and let the Prime Minister consider whether his ill-advised : action,' which lacks the plea of urgency or wise public policy, does not warrant the immediate withdrawal of the measure.—l am, etc., '■F. E. HARRY, "> President of Baptist Union of N.Z., and Chairman of Wellington Minlisters' Association. 23rd October.