PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21118, 27 February 1932, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

ARBITRATION BILL.

LABOUR OBSTRUCTION.

WASTE OF A DAY.

BARRIERS TO PROGRESS.

CLOSURE NEXT WEEK. [B? TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday. Although the Dominion stands at a crisis in its history, Parliament wasted the whole of to-day in an exchange of party tactics which ignored the gravity of the economic situation, and the urgent I problems which clamour for solution. The first hint of trouble was given a few minutes after tho House met this morning when the Prime Minister, tho Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, intimated it was proposed to revive the closure. The keenly-awaited Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill was then introduced by Governor-General's Mesj Inquiries as to the nature of the prospective legislation are usually made at that stage, and a short explanation is customarily furnished, after which the bill js printed and copies are circulated among members. However, Labour members, in accordance with a plan of campaign presumably laid down in caucus, proceeded to make full quarter of an hour speeches on tho question. Aimless Speechmaking. As the party's active strength at the moment is 23 members, it soon became apparent that much time would be wasted in aimless speechmaking unless a call for pi-ogress wero responded to. After listening to a succession of Labour speeches throughout the whole of the morning, the Prime Minister made such an appeal shortly after the luncheon adjournment. "Now that Labour members have blown o5 steam to some extent, I suggest they should allow tho bill to go to the Committee stages, so that we can get it printed to give the country sufficient . time to study the legislation before it is dealt with by the House," said Mr. Forbes. -'lf we delay much more today, the time for making representations to the Government concerning the bill will be curtailed. "It is not as if we are springing any . surprises with this legislation. We indicated during the elections that this would have to be one of the first tasks to be dealt with. Ido not want to work long hours, but if we cannot get tho first '.tages through at this sitting, we will have to sit to-morrow and -011 Monday." The appeal fell on deaf ears. Influence of Closure. "To-day we are free from the closure," said Mr.' H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition. "Next week we will not be free. The Prime Minister has only himself to blame for what has arisen." A further succession of Labour speakers carried on the blockade, and at 5.30 the normal hour of the adjournment, found Mr. Howard, the last of the 23, still on his feet, but the smile of victory on the Labour benches quickly disappeared when the Prime Minister rose to move that the House should meet to-morrow morning. Mr. P. Fraser (Labour— Wellington Central), hurriedly opening the Book on Standing Orders, argued that the sitting Jiad automatically ended, and that no further business could be transacted. The Speaker, however, drew attention to another Standing Order designed to prevent tying the hands of Parliament " in such circumstances. He accordingly • ruled out the point of order. Other Labour members exhausted Parliamentary vocabulary in condemning Mr. Forbes' action. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, suggested that the Houso should agree to put the bill through its initial stages there and then, thus leaving the week-end free. / A Belated Meal.

That suggestion was described by Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Labour —Christchurch East) as an apology for the Prime Minister. "If Mr. Coates were Prime Minister, he would be too good a sportsman to do a thing like this," he said. However, Mr. Armstrong's subtlety wore too thin a disguise, and Mr. Coates and Mr. Forbes both laughed, the former remarking, "he's trying to play one off against the other."/ Meantime consternation was developing in Bellamy's, where tea had long leen waiting. "I suggest an adjournment until after tea," said Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), at 6.25 a.m. "We may then all feel better." The suggestion was not officially acted on, but Mr. Veitch retired and others followed with the result that the bells were presently rung to 6ummon a quorum. The division on the motion to adjournuntil to-morrow was carried by 33 to 24 just after'seven o'clock and members hastened in search of a late tea. Present indications are for a long and acrimonious sitting to-morrow, particularly if the motion reinstating the closure is taken. Meantime, members are not yet in possession of copies of the bill.