SNORES DROWN SPEECHES

Evening Star, Issue 20314, 24 October 1929, Page 16

SNORES DROWN SPEECHES

COLLARLESS, SHOELESS MEMBERS BITTER WRANGLE BEFORE BREAKFAST [From Odk Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 24. Mr Jones moved at 1.30 a.m. to report progress, this affording the Reformers the opportunity to discuss something new. They kept it going for fifty minutes, and it was defeated by ■iS votes to 22, The Leader of the Opposition moved a further amendment exempting from the super tax land held by a parent where, following subdivision among the parent, and children (not exceeding five), the interest of the parent would not exceed £40,000 unimproved value, and that of the children £3,000 each. Mr Coates said it would be unfair to knock out the incentive to a man to make provision for his children Mr Forbes declined to accept the amendment, as it left an opening for evasion of taxation. The question was not one of settlement, but of taxation. Reformers argued that family settlement should be encouraged; that was the object of the amendment. Mr Field, lamenting the Minister’s refusal to accept the amendment, cused the Government of a tigerish, bloodthirsty desire to put men off their land. At 4.20 seven Reformers were stubbornly holding the fort.- The Labour benches were practically deserted, and the Government side of the House looked like a- sanatorium verandah, Ministers and members sleeping under rugs, their heads on cushions. A fresh shift of Reformers came in at 4.30. when Mr Nash, a skilled stonewaller, was confessing difficulty in discussing the clause, Mr Bodkin (actingchairman) having ruled all the most popular references out of order. The snores at this stage almost drowned the speakers’ voices. The Minister of Health (Mr Stallworthy) sat bolt upright for hours in the Prime Minister’s seat, and at 5 a.m. looked as fresh as paint, although he had been on deck throughout the stonewall. Mr Kyle very cleverly got through his five minutes’ speech by arguing with the chairman about references to subjects on the forbidden list. At 5.40 Mr Coates said the Opposition would take a vote on the amendment right away if Mr Forbes would ’then allow progress to be reported, so that there might be a long interval till after breakfast. The Opposition could utilise such interval to discuss the position, in view of the Minister’s difficult attitude towards their amendments. Mr Martin; Are we in this? Mr Coates; No. Mr Forbes replied dryly: "As we are going on so well, we might go on till the usual adjournment, and the Opposition will then have the opportunity of conferring.” Mr Coates: Thanks very much. We won’t take your advice. The bells then rang for the division, and members came crowding in, several without collars, and some in their socks. One collarless Minister had his hair combed by a friendly Reformer. This amendment was defeated by 27 to 18. Mr Harris moved to report progress, and said: “It is all very well for members who have been sleeping all night, but others who have been doing their job want a respite. Mr M'Dongall; Oh, bettor sleeping than blathering. Mr Lysnnr; That member was wearing the tartan yesterday, but ho has taken it off. Mr Jones: What would the people of New Zealand say if they looked into the chamber at this moment. (Loud laughter.) I have been here for fortyeight hours without taking off my clothes. Are we a lot of convicts? The Minister has driven the working section of the House to the limit of physical endurance. Mr Holland rose to protest against what was being done. Apparently, he he said, some Reformers were disgusted with what was happening, because onlv sixteen Reformers were present, and others were apparently absenting themselves as a protest. ' (Reform laimh ter.) Mr Forbes also protested, and a protracted wrangle ensued, feeling running very high till the House adjourned for breakfast at 7.30 a.m.