“MARCHING ORDERS” TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21300, 2 April 1931, Page 15

“MARCHING ORDERS”

TELEGRAMS.

RECORD NUMBER OF DIVISIONS. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) , WELLINGTON, April 1. So many divisions were taken, last night and early this morning that Labour members dubbed the new Standing Orders “Marching Orders.” Every few minutes 'during the discussion of the contentious clauses of the Finance Bill the bells called sleepy members from beneath rugs and cushions to march with unfailing regularity into the lobbies to take part in a multiplicity of divisions. A question was raised in the early hours when Mr H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) in moving to report progress, complained of the state of health of members, who, he said, were unfit to transact the business of the country. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon): Yes, look at all the drill we’ve had. Mr Armstrong: My object in moving to report progress is to give the Prime Minister some sleep. From 10 o’clock yesterday morning till 10 o’clock to-night the house was divided 54 times, a parliamentary record.

(Pee United Press Association.) . WELLINGTON. April 1. Reference to the Wellington Centennial Exhibition to be held in that city in 1940 was made by the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup) in the course of a speech at the Chamber of Commerce dinner last night. The exhibition, he said, would be known as the New Zealand International Centennial , Exhibition, and would be held at Rongotai Park, which provides a fine open space of 60 acres. The exhibition would mark an epoch in the history of Wellington. Henry John Herman Tolcher, • ex-sec-retary of the Alsatian Shepherd Dog Club, who was arrested at Gisborne last week, was to-day charged with the theft of £l2 belonging to the club, and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by Mr E. Page, S.M. The money was for subscriptions unaccounted for, and with which the accused disappeared. He had been previously before the court for false pretences. i NELSON, April 1. The removal of the rails from the suspended works on the Nelson section of the Midland line was the subject of the strongest criticism by the City Council The action was characterised as an absolute breach of -faith. A reply from tlie Government was read stating that the removal of the rails would not prevent the Government restarting the work when ready to do so, but it was absurd n to purchase other rails to use elsewhere, and at the same time allow the rails to rust at Glenhope. Councillors said that the rails should bo used at Glenhope in accordance with the Government’s promise. It would also provide work on a sound project. It was decided that the Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatt) visit Wellington in order to interview members of the ■ The serious position arising out of the closing of the Onakaka Iron and Steel Works was the subject of a discushion by the City Council. Councillor Huggins said that the matter affected New Zealand, as it was a national industry. Councillor Washbourn said it was only right to point out that the Government, although it had turned down the company’s last appeal, had o n the whole given generous treatment. The position was particularly unfortunate, because the company was producing £BO,OOO worth of goods, all of which money must now go out of the country. It was quite possible to succeed, as the importations of iron and steel products would amount to £2,000,000, so the possibilities were great.