PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21133, 16 March 1932, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

THE ARBITRATION BILL. SECOND READING PASSED. COMFORTABLE MAJORITY. SEVERAL DEFECTIONS. amendments probable. [by TliT-EGRAVtr.—SPECIAL REPORTER."] "WELLINGTON, Tnpsrlny. With an undercurrent of excitement the second rending was accorded tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill by 41 votes to 29 in the TTouse of Representatives this evening. Although several defections in the Government ranks were notified in advance, there was never any doubt about a sufficiently strong majority remaining to secure the second reading bv a comfortable margin. It. was the circumstances under which the division was taken which caused tho Chamber to buzz.with activity, Obvious stonewall tactics against tho bill were organised by Labour members, who were given a further opportunity to speak through an amendment moved by Mr. J. McCombs late last evening seeking to have the bill redrafted. The debato accordingly proceeded monotonously throughout the afternoon and early evening. A Frank Declaration. The only interesting feature was a frank declaration by Mr. A. M. Samuel (Government —Thames), that ho would vote against the bill in it s entirety. I believe the. Government was actuated by the best intentions in bringing this bill forward," he said, "but I would be a traitor to my conscience if I voted for it. I cannot help what the consequences of my action may be." Generally, the debate had been rather dull until an incident arose early in tho evening, which apparently precipitated tho division. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. A. Hamilton, was replying to points made by opponents of the bill. The five minutes warning bell rang when Mr. Hamilton obviously desired a. little extra time to make a full reply to the opposing arguments. Mr. A. Harris accordingly moved an extension of time, a concession habitually accorded to leaders of parties and a Minister in charge of a bill. . There was immediately a cry of "No" from Mr. McCombs, who had intimated in a speech last week that he would oppose any extension. Objection Pressed. "Well, I'm blessed," exclaimed the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, frankly astonished. Mr. McCombs was adamant when the Speaker formally asked whether there were any objections. Accordingly Mr. Hamilton sat down a few minutes later without having answered all the points raised.

The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, was immediately on his feet and moved that the question should be put. Labour members had evidently hot counted on the closure being sought at that stage and Mr. F. Langstone (WaiTnavmo) rose to a point of order. He contended that Mr. R. Semple (Wellington East) wa s on his feet seeking to catch the Speaker s eye when Mr. Forbes moved' the closure.

Mr. Langstone said Mr. Forbes had naturally been called on, as the Speaker bad assumed Mr. Forbes desired to speak in the debate, in which case he was entitled to precedence over other members. Instead of that, Mr. Forbes had made an adroit move to end the second reading stage. " I think the position is perfectly clear," said the Speaker. " I had called on no speaker. The Prime Minister is entitled to move his motion."

The bells were accordingly set ringing for the division. Amid a. scene of subdued excitement in the Chamber Mr. Coates '""walked across to Mr. Holland's desk to hold a brief animated discussion and Labour members gathered round Mr. McCombs with the evident object of debating whether he had been well advised iri opposing an extension of time for the Minister. ' Application of Closure. ■ The closure was carried by 44 votes to 23. With the absence of Messrs. M. J. Savage, 11. G. R. Mason and D. W T . Coleman, Labour had an effective voting force of 21, and found support from Mr. H. M. Rushworth (Country—Bay of Islands), and Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent—Egmont). The division on Mr. McCombs' amendment resuite-l in its defeat by 41 votes to 27. Those voting with Labour were Messrs. Connolly, 11. M. Rushworth, A. M. Samuel, A. J. Stallworthy, C. A. Wilkinson and R. A. Wright. The bill was then lead a second time bv 4L votes to 29. The Opposition's increased strength came from Mr. 11. Atmore (Independent—Nelson), who had not voted in the previous division, and Mr. Waiter Massey (Government —Ilauraki), who had opposed Labour's amendment. The committee stage of the bill was then begun. As members are entitled to four ten-minute speeches on the short title, the discussion continued on general lines. No indication has yet been given whether the Government proposes to revise clauses to meet objections, but a further discussion on the bill took place si a Coalition caucus this morning and it is anticipated that some easements will he made as the various clauses come under dis< u.-sion. Labour Mi«tak"is alrn-'.-t *•:••• <' '•' l(! discussion in committee on the short title and three hours' discu-sio:i leMilted in no further practical headway being made. Ills likely that the closure procedure will have to be invoked fairly frequently in the committee stage if reasonable progress is to be maintained.

STIfKNUOUS TRAVELLING. RETURN TO RECORD VOTE. MR. SULLIVAN'S ACHIEVEMENT. [BY Tf.l K(.I!\I'H. SI'KCIAL REPORTER. | WKLT/TNf!TON. Tuesday. Ihp ;ip]icarnncc in the House of KepreSfntative.s 1 liis, evening of Mr. I). 0. Sullivan (Labour— Avonj caused sonic speculation. as it was generally known among members that as flavor of Christchurch he had preside! over a meeting of the ( itv Council j,, ("In isfchtirch Inst evening. 'J lie explanation was that during the City (.'ouii' il meeting Mr. Sullivan heard that the division on the second reading of Ihe Arbitration Bill was probable tonight. Accordingly, although the council meeting lasted until after midnight, he caught a service car in Christchurch at 4-30 this morning and travelled to Picton. He was just in time to catch the stcamei Tamahine for Wellington, where he. arrived at six o'clock this evening. The division in which Mr. Sullivan desired to record his voto took place at 8.45 p.m.