THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 8

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

After a. long night sitting tho Finance Bill was given its .second reading lin the House, of Representatives shortly before 5 o'clock this morning. In the afternoon and evening tho debate, was carried on chiefly from the Labour and Reform benches, two of the Independents also participating. One meiujber of the Cabinet, the Minister of Labour (the Hon. 8. G. Smith) wits heard in the evening. Ho made a spirited defence Of the Government's proposals. By midnight the Labour Parly alono was carrying the discussion along, and so the debate continued until -1.30 a.m., when the Leader of thu Labour Party having concluded a full half-hour speech, tho division on the amendment moved by Mr. AY. J. Jordan (Labour, Manukau) that the House decline to give the Bill its second reading, as it failed to institute a system of taxation in accordance to ability to pay, was taken and defeated, the Labour Party receiving tho support of one Refurm member (Mr. Harris). Three' Independents, Messrs. Black, Fletcher, and Rushworth were paired with Reform members in favour of tho amendment. The second reading was also divided upon, and was carried by 47 votes to 20, tho Labour Party voting en bloc, while tho same three Independents were again paired against the Bill. A substantive amendment given notice of by Mr. J. M'Combs (Labour, Lyttcltou) in anticipation of the other amendment being carried, was, of course, not taken. The House adjourned ;it 4.55 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Monday.