MR KEARINS CAUSED AN UPSET

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 August 1949, Page 5

MR KEARINS CAUSED AN UPSET

(SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT)

WELLINGTON, This Day.—There was more drama in the final five minutes of last night’s sitting of the House of Representatives than-has been witnessed at any time this session. Mr P. Kearins (Government, Waimarino) set the House in an uproar, caused obvious agitation among senior members of the Government and set the lobbies buzzing with excited speculation upon the outcome. Displaying more courage than discipline, Mr Kearins snatched a few minutes on the broadcast again to declare his opposition to the Upper House and revealed whfff a 1 ~ ■ ’y had been a closely-guarded Government secret —that- the Government has been considering for some time a measure for abolishing the Legislative Council.

Talk With Whip Before the incident occurred, Mr P. M. MacFarlane, the Senior Government Whip, had had a consultation with Mr Kearins, who apparently had indicated that he intended to assert a member’s right to speak in any debate. Mr MacFarlane appeared to be expostulating with him. After that Mr MacFarlane returned to his place in the House and there followed some passing round of notes. Then Mr McLagan, Minister of Labour, took the floor and observers concluded that he had been put up to talk the debate out. But at 10.25 Mr McLagan sat down, saying that he would give the House an opportunity to vote. That meant a vote. on the Prime Minister’s amendment to postpone consideration of the Bill for three months, a resolution which would have effectually disposed of the Bill until after the elections if it were carried. Immediately, Mr McLagan resumed his seat, Mr Kearins rose and, speaking rapidly, declared once more that he was opposed to the Upper House. There was a rising clamour of interjection and comment from both sides of the House, at this point, and Mr Sneaker (Mr R. McKeen) intervened to criticise the behaviour of members, Mr Kearins, in the meantime, resuming his scat, and then Mr Speaker announced the adjournment of the debate until next Wednesday night. As Mr Sneaker left the chair, Mr Kearins again leaped to his feet, exclaiming: “A point of order, Mr Speaker.” But Mr Speaker had already left his chair and the House broke up in hilarious disorder.

Up To Mr Fraser Questioned subsequently regarding his point of order, Mr Kearins explained that he wished to assert his right to finish his speech. That right, however, will be his if tne debate is continued next Wednesday night, but there is considerable doubt about this. Ordinarily, once the Budget is introduced, the Government moves to accord precedence to all’ Government business, which usually means that private bills are not heard of again unless the Government wishes to allow them to be raised. So the question now is: Will the Prime Minister postpone the usual resolution until after next Wednesday, thus permitting the House to vote on his amendment at any rate, or will he follow the usual procedure and thus kill Mr Holland’s Bill during the life of this Parliament. If he adopts the former course, Mr Kearins will have the first 25 minutes on the air next Wednesday night. In any debate, Mr F. Langstone will also take part, he told your reporter this morning.