COMPROMISE REACHED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16491, 8 November 1927, Page 7

COMPROMISE REACHED

SECOND READING PASSED

BUT BILL TO DISAPPEAR, NO LIGHTS AND NO QUORUM % (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Opponents of Sir George Hunter's Gaming Amendment Bill succeeded in securing an undertaking in the early hours of this morning that it' the second reading were granted no more would be heard of the Bill, this session. The debate dragged on till .°> o'clock. There was great difficulty experienced in keeping members in their seats after midnight, and within' 15 minutes the bells were rung twice to summon a quorum of 20 members. On the second occasion only 12 were present, and Mr. J. A. Lee commented on the fact that the member responsible for the Bill was not sufficiently interested to remain In his seat and sleep. Sir George Hunter thereupon strolled out of the chamber. Mr. Lee said he believed newspapers should be allowed to publish dividends and if only thai clause would reach the 'Statute Book he would actively lob'bv in the Bill's favor. Mr. 11. Holland, who fathered the Religious Exercises Bill, said no one would be surprised that he should oppose this measure, which gave increased gambling facilities and turned every telegraph office into a gambling saloon. THE STATE OP THE HOUSE

For the- third time in 30 minutes Mr, W. J. Jordan called attention to the lack of a quorum, but even when the bells stopped ringing there were only 22 members present.

Five minutes later Mr. H. Atmore drew attention to the fact that there was no quorum, and the bells rang for a full minute before the House could resume.

Mr. 11. G. R. Mason said nobody except the racing clubs wanted this Bill.

Mr. Jordan began his half-hour's peroration by stating: "Here it is five minutes to two, Sidey time, and it seems we will be here for hours." Mr. Jordan wondered if members of Parliament would be able to bet by the telegraph with their free official stamps. Mr. Jordan had not proceeded much further when the electric lights faded into darkness, and he was unable to continue.

Mr. J. A. Lee called attention to the fact that no quorum was present, but Mr. Speaker was unable to count the heads, despite the glimmer of light from three candles. Sir Chas. Statham decided to leave the chair till the light Came on. Members then enjoyed a "Smoko Oh" for 15 minutes, the chamber being in darkness till 2.20 o'clock. The failure of the light was due to a temporary breakdown of a Mangahao sub-sta-tion.

Three minutes after the resumption, the bells were again rung to summon a quorum. THE DIVISION LIST

It soon became apparent that this constant lack of a quorum was deliberately planned, because a member shepherding several members out of the Chamber was overheard to say in a stage whisper as he left by a side door: "Call attention to the state of the House." The Bill was read a second time at 3 o'clock, and formally set down for committal next sitting day, but an arrangement has been made not to call on the Bill again this session. The division on tho second reading was:—

Ayes (20): Atmore, Bell Coates, J. S. Dickson, Elliott, Field, Glenn, Hawken, Hockly, Hunter, J. Mason, Nosworthy, Pomare, Rhodes, J. C. Rolleston, Seddon, Sykes, Tapley, Williams, and Young. Noes (14): Armstrong, Bartram, Fraser, Henare, Howard, Jordan, J. A. Lee, Martin, H. G. R. Mason, Parry, Potter, F. J. Rolleston, Savage, and Ward.