THE FINAL STAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 83, 7 April 1936, Page 17

THE FINAL STAGE

THiRO READING CARRIED

FURTHER PROTESTS

i: ihe Leader of the Opposition (the :£t. Hon. G. W. Forbes) utilised the third reading to place on record the ■efforts of- his supporters to make the measure safer for the country. All suggestions/he said; fell on deaf ears, "frowever/they had made their protest against what he regarded as a dangerous Bill. -It sought to bring in happiness for everyone, and its authors seemed to believe that they had discovered the formula which the greatest "intellect's in the wprld had vainly been .trying to find- . '. Mr. Wright complimented members on having gone through an all-night ordeal without losing their tempers. -If the dogs of war had been let loose Drom the Opposition side there would no doubt have been much heat. <-.- The •• Hon. :P. Fraser (Minister of Education):' But not light. Messrs. Broadfoot, Hargest, and Poison carried -on the debate, the latter .-.protesting against the complete failure of the Government to answer reasonable questions. They got.no reply, 'he said, from "the Sphinx who sat .beside the Clerk" (a reference to the -in charge of the Bill). *- Referring to the application of the Closure after about 20 minutes' discussion of a clause, Mr. Poison described the attitude of the Prime Minister as £Btulant,.and. jllTnatured.... ."Wb_, have i iieyer .seen a Prime Minister make use j of:'hisi powers like that," added . Mr. poison, "and;t;am sorry, because it: is -a/pqor start:? • ... t :..'.V,."....-.. AGAINSX-JbANKS^ •

'■Mr." Nash,-replying to the 'debate, denied that there had been a vendetta against the3'bank's by: the Government. He. declared-that he had said-.nothjng against.-them- except that they-.Jmade undue-profits;, -He did not thlnk=there had- been any conspiracy: -amongst .^ankers .to exploit - the ■ community other-than taking larger profits-than .they- were legitimately entitled to- for organisation of credit. He : did not anything said in the debate would lessen- confidence in the Dominion,, while the reactions. . overseas isince the principles of the Bill had Been published were not unfavourable. ■;■••'■• :

. After repeating his statement that tlie. Governor of the Reserve Bank, although not favouring the principles of The Bill, had been helpful m some features of its drafting, and was prepared'to co-operate with the Govern" rhent, Mr, Nash. added, that he had "Received a letter from the manager of .the .Bank of New Zealand, >vho was also chairman of the Associated Banks, 'stating that if the Bill passed the Government could.depend on the bank's 'cb-opera'tion arid help in every possible ' Way,. "even though we do not like :?ome of the clauses that are in it."

"The. third reading was carried ,on 'division; at 12,10 p.m., the Ayes being $5 and the Noes 17, and the House adjourned at 12.15 p.m. until 7.30 p.m.