“LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE SENT NOTES”

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3614, 15 September 1927, Page 7

“LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE SENT NOTES”

Says Member Pleading Against Daylight Bill MR SIDEY HARD-HEARTED MAN [“Times” Special.] [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, Last Night. The galleries weer crowded when the debate on the Summer Time Bill was resumed to-night. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne), continuing the discussion on the short title of the Bill- made use of several of the well-worn arguments advanced against daylight saving. He criticised the author of the Bill. In connection with the amendment he ■ was willing to accept it in order to meet objections, if coalminers and others did so. Mr. J. B. Hamilton said he was exceedingly sorry that no compromise had been reached between opponents of the Bill and the member in charge of it. The opponents felt they were entitled to fully as much consideration as those who had been considered by Mr. Sidey. They considered Mr. Sidey hafl not exhausted all possible resources to bring the Bill into operation without inflict; ing hardship 'upon country people. In conclusion, Mr. Hamilton said that thousands of little children all over the country had been writing notes one! sending them telegrams imploring them to sit up all night if possible to oppose the Bill. “ I always thought that Mr. Sidey was a kind-hearted man,” said Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames), “ but his attitude over this Bill docs not show him in that light.” “Like a Wooden Image.” Mr. Rhodes went on to complain that Mr. Sidey was sitting in his scat like a wooden image. 11 Why shouldn't he ? ” asked Mr. J. Nash. “He knows the Bill will go through.” “ Yes, through the window,” rejoined Mr. Rhodes, amidst laughter. n Mr. Sidey contradicted the statement that any special bargain had been made with any particular section. The amendments accepted last year were merely to meet cases which were affected hy the Arbitration Court. Coal-miners were not exempted from the Bill. They were given the opportunity to apply to the Court to have their awards varied. He was prepared te accept similar amendments to cover the case of others who came under the awards of the Court. Mr. Sidey said the objections to the Bill had been heard ad nauseam. Those who wished to see the Bill enacted realised they could assist best by saying nothing. Tho country understood why no speeches wore being made by them. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. B. Holland, substantiated the remarks of Mr. Sidey in regard to miners. Mr. Holland reviewed the steps he had taken last year to exclude miners from the operations of tho Bill. Ho had followed the same course this year, and his amendment had been accepted by Mr. Sidey. Mr. Holland said he was prepared to support any amendment that was designed to safeguard farmers in any part of the country from hardship. Ho had never been an enthusiastic support rr of the Bill —in fact, he had been alone In tho Labour Party in his opposition to it. Mr. Sidey had been very straightforward with him and thoro had been nothing in the nature of a bargain. Mr. Nash Surprises. Mr. J. Nash said Mr. Sidey was to bo congratulated on bringing his Bill before the House so persistently. Surprise was expressed by Mr. Samuel at the speech made by Mr. Nash coming from a chairman of a uairy factory. Mr. Samuel declared that it was a positive fact that an arrangement had been come to between Mr. Sidey and tho Leader of the Opposition concerning the Bill. * ‘ X call it not a compact, but an unholy alliance,” said Mr. Samuel. ‘ ‘ I suggest that as this Bill is only 18 years old it should he allowed to go on to the next Parliament and 1 then it will be old enough to vote for itself. (Laughter.) Considerable Negotiation. The Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) stated that since tho Bill had last been discussed a fortnight before a good deal of negotiation had taken place between the opponents of the Bill and those in its favour. In addition, reports had been made to him by the Railway Department regarding the [ effect tho Bill would have in various ; districts if it was passed. Ho would not say that tho report was tho last word, bui it had boon very carefully investigated. Mi, Coates read the report which summarised tho opinions of the Railway Department officials concerning what might have to bo done on various railway sections in tho Dominion to meet the convenience of suppliers of cream. In a number of cases it was stated that suitable arrangements could bo made to meet the changed conditions, but in others objections were raised. “ I suppose you will vote for tho Bill now ? ”. suggested Sir John Luke (Wellington North), when the Prime Minister had finished reading tho report. Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson) observed

that very generally the reports were favourable. Mr. Coates said that that was so in regard to the South Island, but that objections came principally from Waikato and the North. Mr. Samuel: “ I venture to say that the backblock districts have never been consulted.”