NATIONAL SERVICE BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27568, 9 December 1950, Page 9

NATIONAL SERVICE BILL

Federal Labour Majority Adjourns Debate HELD UP IN SENATE NZPA—Copyright CANBERRA, Dec. 8. The Labour majority in the Federal Senate has adjourned: the debate on the National Service Bill until next year, 'it has also appointed a committee of seven Labour Senators to consider the Bill and to present its report not later than the second Thursday after the first meeting of the Senate next year. Ministers protested at Labour tactics. v If I were a member of the Opposition, I could not sleep at night after this,” said the Minister of Social Services, Senator W. H. Spooner. When the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Senator N. E. McKenna, moved the adjournment of the debate. Government Senators shouted: “That is to kill the Bill. Now we know where you stand.” The Leader of the Government. Senator N. Sullivan, said that the position reminded him of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. He added: “It is common "knowledge that you are waiting for instructions from your masters outside. Not one member on this committee will be a free agent. There will be no unanimity unless it bears the approval of your masters.” The Labour majority carried the adjournment motion and then appointed Senators McKenna, O’Byrne. Murray, Harris, Amhour, Arnold and Sandford as a committee to consider and report on the proposal for compulsory national service and to examine all relevant defence, man-power and economic needs and the capacity of Australia