MR FORBES HUFFED

Grey River Argus, 5 May 1932, Page 3

MR FORBES HUFFED

’ Unexplained Bill THE KUSH AHD GAG TACTICS. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, May 4. The practice recently adopted by the Government of forcing legislation through the House by claiming urgency on all, stages, from the introduction to the third reading of Bills, was objected to by members of the Labour Party in the House this evening. when Mr Forbfis, by an unfortunate display of pique, aroused the resentment of the Opposition members. The House had been discussing the report of the Economists which, incideutly, has already been acted upon, and when the House resumed, after the dinner adjournment, Mr Forbes vose to further on them. Mr Holland then reminded him that it was all a waste of time.

Mr Forbes quickly opened his desk, drew out the Governor-General’s message, and said: “We will soon that up!” He then strode to the Speaker’s desk, with a copy of the 1 and Laws Amendment Bill.

Mr Holland and his colleagues asked for information, and entered a protest against such haste, as the members wanted to see the contents ot‘ the B n and to study them.

The Prime Minister pressed for urgency, however, which was carried. Mr Holland said that members were entitled to have the fullest informa •ion about the measures before the House.

Mr Forbes s£id that Labour’s atu <nde was extraordinary, as one minuk they said that a discussion was wast ’ng time, and then protested against haste.

Mr Holland said that ho felt that Jie country would be behind the Lab our Party in demanding adequate <• deration tor any legislation of pubinterest which was brought before the House. Mr H. T. Armstrong said that the Minister of Lands was like ”A dum-:< driven animal” because he had to sub mit to the will of Mr Forbes in fore ing the Bill through.

Mr Armstrong was forced to with draw.

Mr Ransom then explained that tnc Bill allowed 'the development of tidal lands of the Dominion, and was to facilitate an extension and adjustmen of the group settlement provisions of the existing land laws. It was only on acount of the dire necessity for relief to Crown tenants that th Bill had been brought down at all. It was to enable the purchase of land and stock at favourable terms fo»

settlement. Many of them were unemployed men with a few hundred pound o.