SECOND READING UNDERSTANDING

Evening Star, Issue 19708, 8 November 1927, Page 3

SECOND READING UNDERSTANDING

BILL DISAPPEARS FOR SE5§i2H

[Frou Our Pari.iamentart lirror.l rr ]

WE CLING TON. November b

The opponents of the Gaming Amendment Bill .succeeded in -securing an undertaking in the early hours of this morning that if ! he .s-emai reading were granted no more war J he heard of the Bill this 5..-ssi m.

The debate dragg'd mi till d o’clock and there was great dlil.cu.iy in keqr

ing members in their seats after midnight. Within fifteen minutes the bells Avere rung twice to summon a quorum of 20 members. On the second occasion only twelve Avere present, and Mr Lee (Auckland East) commented on the fact that the member responsible for tho Bill was not sufficiently interested to remain in his scat and sleep. Sir George Hunter thereupon strolled out of the chamber. Air Lee said lie beliei'ed that the ncAVspapers should he allowed to publish dividends, and if _that clause would reach the Statute Book ho avouUl actively lobby in the Bill’s lavor. Air "Holland (Christchurch North), who fathered the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill, said no one would be surprised that ho should oppose this measure. Avhich gave increased gambling facilities and turned every telegraph office into a gambling saloon. ° For the third time in 30 minutes Air Jordan called attention to the lack of a quorum, but even when the bells slopped ringing there Avere only 22 members present, hive minutes later Air Atmore (Nelson) drew attention to tl.e fact that there ivas n 6 quorum, and the bells rang a full minute before the House could resume.

Mr Mason (Eden) said nobody except the racing clubs Avnntcd this Bill. Air Jordan (Atannkan) began his half-hour’s _ peroration by stating: “Here, it is five minutes to 2 (Sidcy time), and it seems wo Avill be here lor hours.” Air Jordan Avondcrcd if members of Parliament Avould be able to bet by telegraph Avith their free official stamps. Mr Jordan, had not proceeded much further Avhen the electric lights faded into darkness, and he was unable to continue. Air Leo (Auckland East) called attention fo the fact that no quorum Avas present, but Mr Speaker was unable to count the heads, despite the glimmer of light from three candles. Sir Chas. .Rtatham decided fo leave the chair till the lights came on, and members fhen enjoyed a “smoke oh” for fifteen minutes, the chamber being in darkness till 2.20. The failure oftlio light Avas due to a temporary breakdown of Alangahao sub-station. THREE MINISTERS.

After resumption the bells were again rung to summon a quorum, and it soon became apparent that this constant lack of a quorum Avas deliberately planned, because a member shepherding several members out of the Chamber Avas overheard to say in a stage Avhisper, as he left by "a side door. “Call attention to the state of flic House.” The Rill was read a second time at 3 o’clock,_ and was formally set down for committal next sitting day; but an arrangement has been made not to call on the Rill again this session. The division on the second reading was:— AYES (20). At more, Bell, Coates, J. S. Dick'•on, Elliott, Field, Glenn, IraAvken, Hockley, Hunter, J. Alason, NosAvorthy, Pomare, Rhodes, J. C. Rolleston, Seddon, 'Sykes, Tapley, Williams, Y r oung. NOES (14). Armstrong, Bartram. Fraser, Henare, Howard, Jordan, J. A. l/cc. Martin, H. G. R. Mason, Parry, Potter, F. J. Rolleston, Savage, Ward.