BREAK FOR BREAKFAST

Evening Star, Issue 20313, 23 October 1929, Page 2

BREAK FOR BREAKFAST

FIRST ALL-NIGHT SESSION [Pie United Press Association.! WELLINGTON, October 23. For the first time tin’s session the House of Representatives was still sitting at daybreak this morning. Consideration of tho Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill in committee has already occupied attention since early yester day afternoon, and when tlie [-louse adjourned at 7.30 this morning frr breakfast the Short Title was still unpassed. On the motion of Mr Forbes (ActingLeader of the House) urgency was yesterday afternoon accorded the committal and remaining stages of the Bill, and in reply to an interjection ho intimated that if the question ot delay arose it would be tho duty of the Government to see that such tactics were overruled. Lack of a quorum necessitated the ringing of' the bells at one stage in the early hours this morning, and on other occasions, when the question was raised, it was found that there was barely tho required number. The discussion is being carried on by the Reform members, wdio, up to tho have been addressing the House in “shifts.” Tho Acting-Chairman of Committees raised objection to the “tedious repetition” in the speeches of certain members at,l a.in., and since then the rule hearing on that-point has been enforced. The House will resume in committee at 9.30 a.m. At 1.20 a.m. Mr Sykes was taking his turn at keeping the debate on the Short Title going, and ho resorted to an old stonewalling trick of quoting a slab from an ancient ‘ Hansard ’ to show’ ..'hat Sir Joseph Ward had once said about taxation. Mr Fletcher asked: “ What did Gladstone say?” Mr Sullivan interjected: “Is the lion, gentleman reading his speech?” and all not asleep laughed. A gentleman in evening elotlies in the gallery enjoyed the luxury of lean ing liis elbows on the rail, the orderly, whose duty it is to prevent such behaviour, being less vigilant at 1.30 a.m. than during normal hours. Mr Nash drew attention to tho state of the House, but the chairman said there wms a quorum, and refused to ring tho bells. “That is good; do not wake us up,” came a sleepy Government voice. “We are enjoying it,” called Mr Barnard, when Mr Nash said the silent Government and Labour members did not like to be kept up late while the debate proceeded. Mr Fraser: You take your pleasures sadly. The chairman ruled references to silent members out of order. Mr Coates lay on his bench and read a book while his henchmen ploughed the dreary seas of a stonewalling debate. “Sit down,” commanded Mr M'Dougali. when Mr Nash started to refer to the Minister of Health. At this stage all semblance of genuine debate had disappeared, and tired Reformers snatched eagerly at any inter-

jection to gain a few minutes. Two hours later, when the Reform relief had come on duty. Mi' Williams was stonewalling quietly hut determinedly, and, unlike some of those who preceded him, was filling in his time with reasoned argument. Mr Holland, fast asleep, was the sole Labour survivor. Mr Coates slumbered noisily, much to the amusement of Mr M’Dougnll, who was enjoying tremendously his first all-night sitting. Mr Lysnar (Reform’s loud speaker) was very annoyed because everyone seemed to be asleep when ho started to speak. “Look at the Labour leadr.” he said, “the only representative of his party present, and he is asleep Oh. no, he isn’t, he is wiggling Ids toe.” (Laughter.) Sleeping members awoke when Mr Lysnar dropped his Bill book with a crash, “You have left us nothing to fly with, you featherers,” shouted Mr Lysnar, “and now you pick at the corpse.” (Laughter.) Mr Waite, at 4 o’clock, raised a laugh by saying that if the PrimeMinister was going to stand or fall by his original Budget he had his feet on a cake of soap, and the whole party was slipping and sliding. Mr M'Dougall rose to a noint of order at 4.30. fie said; “Mr Chairman, there is someone over on that side, and I think he is dying; I can’t hear him breathing.” (Laughter.) Members roused themselves at 5.30 to read the morning newspaper, which messengers distributed. The lady journalist went home five minutes later. ’ Government members took turns throughout the night in acting as chairman, while Mr Smith slept in pro paration for a long day in the chair Mr Kyle was holding the fort for the Reform Party when the committee adjourned for breakfast. Mr Smith, who had resumed the chair some time previously, announced at 7.30 that business would resume at 9.30. Mr Coates: Plain slacking, I call it. (Laughter )