PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 8 December 1932, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

Rushing Bills CONFIDENCE QUESTION. (From Our Parliamentary lieporter.) WELLINGTON, December 7. Tu the House tho Primo Minister moved for urgency for the passing of the Fire Brigades’ Amendment Bill, the Cook Islands Amendment Bill, the Native Land Amendment Bill, and the Municipal Corporations Bill. Mr Sullivan protested against the endeavour to pass the last-named measure before the local bodies had been given a further opportunity to make representations.

Mr Forbes said the measure comprised mainly the recommendations •by the Municipal Association’s Conference. If it were not passed now, it would have to be dropped, because the House would not be able to deal with this class of measure when it resumed next year. It would have more important business to do. He added that tho Government would be prepared to hold over any partielarly contentious clauses. Labour members divided the House on the motion for urgency, which was adopted by 42 votes to 20.

The Fire Brigades’ Amendment Bill, Cook Islands Amendment ’Bill, and the Native Land Amendment Bill were put through committee promptly, but the rapid despatch of business was held up when the short title of the Municipal Corporations Bill was reached. A number of members objected to the provision for amalgamation of boroughs, taking particular exception to the section which enables a commission to decide the question in tho event of a difference of opinion occurring between the districts concerned. Mr Kyle said the method proposed

was not democratic. Mr Hamilton said the clause had been inserted at the request of the Municipal Association. Mr Kyle: It must have meeu a minority request. Mr Schramm pointed out that it would be possible under the terms of the clause for Auckland City, for instance, to force the Borough of Onehunga to amalgamate. Mr Stallworthy said that power should not be given for a city arbitrarily to absorb thousands of ratepayers. The clause was inimical to the best jo-inciples of local government. Air Wright moved an amendment, stipulating that the Bill should not come into operation until April 1, 1935, instead of April 1, 1933. He said the amendment, if adopted, would give local bodies time to make their protests to the Government with respect to the contentious clauses before those clauses would come into operation. Air Savage, supporting tho amendment, said there were some clauses the operation of which he would like to put off for half a century. Air Kyle said he could sec no reason ■why the amendment should nut be adopted. There was ample local body legislation on the Statute Book to enable them to carry on in the near future. The Leader of the Opposition asked the Prime Minister to indicate whether he would treat the question as one of confidence in the Government, ur whether he would allow a free vote on tho amendment. Mr Forbes said that an amendment relating to a bill of the description now before the House should not be regarded as a matter of confidence. Labour members: Hear, hear! Continuing, Air Fobes said he could not sec any reason why the adoption of the amendment, such as that moved bv Air Wright, should be regarded as an adverse vote in relation to the Government. Air Hamilton intimated after the supper adjournment, that he had conferred with the Prime Alinistcr, and it had been decided to report progress after the passage of the short title. He said it was his desire that the Bill should be as useful as possible, and he did not wish to hurry it through. After passing the short title, consideration of the remainder of the bill would be postponed until later on. Air Wright thereupon withdrew his amendment, and after some further discussion the short title was passed and progress was reported. The Fire Brigades Amendment Bill, Cook Islands Ai.icndnicnt Bill, and Native Land Amendment Bill, were read a third time and passed.