PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21165, 23 April 1932, Page 13

PARLIAMENT.

REDUCTIONS in pensions.

(ALL PROPOSALS CARRIED.

'CLOSE MARGINS RECORDED.

jWO VOTES IN ONE CASE.

adjournment of house

r B t telegraph.— spectat, reporter.] 1 WELLINGTON, Friday,

4fter a series of close divisions, in one {'which the margin of victory was only v 0 votes, the Government has received the endorsement of the House of Representatives to the proposals in the National Expenditure Adjustment Bill for tho reduction in pensions and allowances payable out of the Consolidated Fund.

The pensions portion of the measure was generally regarded as imperilling most seriously tho Government's continued tenure of office, because it was made ,in that no concessions in the bill's original proposals in that regard would be made. However, although it was realised that some divisions would be keen, jt was not generally anticipated that the Government would have such a close call gs 'a margin of only two votes, which was all that separated the opposing forces in connection with one amendment relating to old age pensions. i Long Hours in House.

Consideration of the bill in Committee was begun on Wednesday afternoon. The House sat until five o'clock yesterday morning and resumed at 2.30 yesterday afternoon. The sitting lasted throughout the night and was resumed after adjournment for breakfast this morning. Thereafter, no breaks were made, even for meals, until the House rose at 6.30 this

evening. The first section of the bill dealing with salary cuts in the Civil Service, and comprising 15 clauses, was disposed of early this'morning, and a start was then made on the pensions section, comprising ten clauses. Altogether the House has been in Committee for 34 hours and has passed 25 clauses, leaving 30 still to be dealt with.

Probably 95 per cent, of the speeches made during the whole Committee debate came from r.he Labour benches and at several stages acrimonious interludes, in which personalities bulked prominently, caused the Chamber to surge with high excitement.

The most boisterous incident occurred at five o'clock this morning after a division on an amendment to the old age pensions clause, which was rejected by only two yotes. / Charge Against Mr. Healy.

Charges of irregular voting were made by Labour members, -who alleged that Mr. E. F. Healy (Government —Wairau) had influenced Mr. T.,Makitanara (Government—Southern Maori) to vote for the Government when the latter had intended to support the amendment. However, Mr. "jAaVitanara protested that he had not been influenced and his assurance was accepted by-the Chairman of Committees, Mr. S. G. Smith.

On the very next division, relating to a further amendment to the same clause, Labour members levelled a similar charge against Mr. J. A. Nash (Government — Palmerston), who was alleged to have persuaded Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Government —Eden) and Mr. R. A. Wright (Government —Wellington Suburbs) to leave the noes lobby and vote for the ayes. Gnce again assurances were forthcoming from the members involved. The Labour Party sought to secure the Speaker's ruling on Mr. Smith's decision that no irregularity had occurred, but the House would not agree.

A descent to personal abuse broughi several rebukes from the Chairman, and in the hubbab which occasionally occurred, some Labour members were frequently heard to use language seldom heard, in Parliament.

The most sustained opposition of the debate was made in regard to old age, miners' and miners' widows' pensions. It vras generally anticipated that the reductions proposed in war pensions would also draw a protracted protest. Several pointedly critical speeches were made, but the clause was reached late in the afternoon, after it became evident that an arrangement had been made among the parties to secure the adjournment in time to allow members to leave for their homes by boat and train this evening. After a brief discussion the clause was passed 38 votes to 34. Reduced Family Allowances.

The last cla use in the pensions section dealt with the curtailment of family allowances. Labour speakers recorded a five-minute protest, after which the Clause was retained by a comfortable ttargin.

As a result of the long debate, the pensions clauses emerged unchanged. The onl y semblance of a concession was a promise by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates 6,1 behalf of the Government that the proposal to abolish the pension paid to 4 miner's widow after two years of todowliood would be reviewed next Session.

, The following is a table of divisions 0n important pensions clauses, excluding on numerous amendments to the clauses:— Old age, 38 to 54; widows', 39 *°3o; miners', 41 to 33; miners' widows', to 31; South African War, 40 to 31; ar , 38 to 34; family allowances, 39 to 31.

The House has adjourned until Wednesday afternoon it is stated that the on g adjournment is partly for the purPose of all. wing members to participate ln Anzac Day observances in their con"itueficies <ju Monday, and partly to allo\v the Cabinet to complete its revision of amendments to be moved in the Action of the bill dealing with interest Bn d rent reductions. This will be the Sex t aspect of the bill to coaie under con* •deration by the,. House

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