CONTINUOUS SITTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21136, 19 March 1932, Page 13

CONTINUOUS SITTING.

WEARINESS OF HOUSE.

bitter fight dragged on.'

NO ADJOURNMENT FOR MEALS

[BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL REPORTER..]

WELLINGTON, Friday. . A]l recent records for the length of continuous sittings have been broken by the House of Representatives in dealing with the final stages of the Industrial Con dilation and Arbitration Amendment Bill.

Having disposed only of the short title at tho previous sitting, tho House resumed in Committeo at 2.30 yesterday afternoon. Tho bill contained 13 other clauses when allowance has been made for one clauso withdrawn and another added at tho instigation of the Government. Only methodical application of tho closuro enabled headway to be made by tho Government against tho strenuous and bitter opposition offered by the Labour Party.

The timo occupied in the taking of divisions alono was considerable. It often happened that several amendments were moved to a clause. Thus, at some stages, the bells were ringing almost incessantly as first the- closure was secured, the amendments were disposed of, nnd tho clause was passed. It mattered not that every division resulted in immaterial changes in the voting strength according to tho number of members in the Chamber. Challenge at Every Point. Labour challenged tho Government at every point and meinbors endeavouring to secure a brief sleep on the doubtful comfort of their padded benches found the task almost impossible. The usual halfhour supper adjournment was taken at 9.30 last, evening, and members little suspected when tho proceedings wero resumed at 10 o'clock that the business would proceed without adjournment, either for breakfast, luncheon or dinner to-day. Such a course is unprecedented and a double burden was thrown on the catering staff of Bellamy's becauso members could only leave the Chamber in twos ajul threes. Indeed even that cautious course did not enable meals to be taken in comfort, for a small band had to leave their bacon and eggs hurriedly this morning in order to rush back to the chamber to record their votes. Even the Prime Minister, after leaving the Chamber in quest of a cup of tea early this morning, had to hurry back, as he thought, for a division, but as it proved because the House lacked a quorum. Bad Effect on Tempers. Such a test of physical endurance naturally did not improve tempers, and oven apart from the bitterness engendered by tho nature of the proposed legislation, members would not have been in "the best frame of mind. Ono adjournment of 15 minutes was made at 5.30 this morning arising out of the incident which led to the suspension of two Labour members, but apart from that, the House at 10 o'clock this evening achieved tho doubtful distinction of being in continuous session for 24 hours. After the all-night sitting, the atmosphere of the Chamber was most oppressive, but no opportunity arose to freshen the air. For once in a long while the cleaners were unable to tidy the litter of paper inseparable from any sitting of tho House. Scarcely ono member has been able to change his attire since yesterday afternoon, and the House presented a weary and bedraggled look this evening as members settled down to the prospect of another weary night in the Chamber.

A little reasonableness on both sides might have obviated the necessity of sitting through meal hours. When the Prime Minister suggested a breakfast adjournment. this morning, Labour members pressed for an adjournment until this afternoon. When Mr. Forbes refused that concession, the Opposition retaliated by opposing the meal adjournment. As unanimous consent was necessary Tor that purpose, business was therefore continued. Long Fight on the Bill. The fight on the bill will no doubt become historic. The Governor-General's Message transmitting tho bill was debated throughout sittings on February 26 and March 2, by which time the closure authority had been secured. lhe second reading speeches engaged the attention of the House throughout March 10, 11. 14 and 15, the closure again having to be invoked to end that stage of the bill's consideration. Then for the past three days, the bill has been under discussion in Committee.

Altogether, eight days of the emergency session have been taken up in repetition of arguments which began to pall after the first day. The net result is that the bill is now emorging from Committee virtually unaltered, in spite of a long and bitter contest between irreconcilable forces. _ There were 46 divisions in the Committee stages of tho bill and 20 divisions on other stages. Included in the 66 divisions were 12 involving the invocation of the closure.