EARLY CLOSING QUESTION

Nelson Evening Mail, 2 August 1916, Page 4

EARLY CLOSING QUESTION

FURTHER REMARKS IN' THE - , eousE.

[By Telegraph.— Own, Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON/ This Day. Iu the evening debate the third reading of the War ' Regulations Rill took place. ' , Mr Isitt repeated! his former statement regarding misunderstanding between "Sir Joseph Ward and himself as to the antishouting clause. The Government;* he declared*, was alone (responsible for the fact that there had been no shortening of hotel hours. There ware several members who' had expressed bheir intention of voting for 9 to 9 who changed their vote on the 'Government .declaring tha't it would have nothing but the Bill as it stood: The least the Government could-' have done was to fell the House that every member was free to vote, according to his convictions. Mr Webb declared that the anti-shout-ing clause was a farce./ A' large nurnbsr q! .members paid rio respect, to the clause. " , . "'"&*'*.';' ... ,- Voices;" They will have to respect it! Mr Webb: 'Many members who voted for it have openly stated 1 that they will not obey it. but that t>hey will sidetrack. Mr Jennings said supporters of early closing ha<! refused to accept' any compromise. He believed 'that 9to 9 would have been a fair compromise, but the advocates of early closing had refused to agree to any. compromise. Mt -Wilkinson said that when the conference was held supporters of early closing offered! to accept Bto Q. This was considered a, fair compromise, but the offer was refused. - The Hon. A;. It. Herd man, in replying, said thatythe Government had endeavoured, to be fair to both sides'. The Bill was read a third time and pass'ed. Ma- Tsitfc- stated that at the conferences held- on the .subject of earlyi Hori"tT, the Prime Minister bad presided witii absolute fairness and was a modsl chairman. ,