UNEMPLOYMENT BILL

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 252, 19 September 1930, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT BILL

POSSIBILITY OF DEFEAT, UPPER HOUSE RUMOURS. FATE UNCERTAIN. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 19. The prolonged and at times rather stormy passage which the Unemployment Bill had through the House of Representatives is likely to be defeated in the Legislative Council and there is a feeling in the lobbies that the outcome may not bo a happy one from the Government’s point of view. At present there appears to be a decided possibility that the bill will not pass its second reading. As the bill is a money one the Council has no power to amend it, but there is nothing to prevent the Council from showing its disapproval of the measure by throwing it out. Should that occur the bill will not be heard of again this session at least.

The principle of paying sustenance is strongly opposed by certain members of the Council and it is probable that a storm will centre round this feature of the bill. When the measure was received from the House of Representatives it was immediately referred to the Labour Bills Committee of the Council and it was not reported back to the Council until yesterday, 'when the report was presented. The first indication of determined opposition was given when the acting Leader of the Council, Hon. R. Masters, asked the Council to agree to take the second reading stage at that sitting and, in order to do that, it was necessary to secure the unanimous consent of the Council. This was not forthcoming, at least one objection being raised. Mr Masters then had no other option but to defer the second reading stage until Tuesday, as the Council is not sitting to-day. . . ... Tuesday’s debate is pregnant _ with possibilities and the final division of the second reading will be awaited with close interest. Possibly the debate will extend into Wednesday and it certainly appears that the Council is in for some longer sittings than have been necessary up to the present. It is freely stated in the lobbies that opponents to the bill can rely on the votes of 18 members of the Council, and it is suggested that there are others who may be induced to record their votes against the measure. The present voting strength of the Council is . about 38, so that whatever happens it appears certain that the division will be a remarkably close one. Should the second reading happen to pass it is likely that the Committee stages will also be prolonged as the opponents of the bill are said to be determined to defeat it if at all possible.