"ALL NIGHT SITTING"

Southland Times, Issue 17483, 26 July 1915, Page 2

"ALL NIGHT SITTING"

STONEWALL IN THE HOUSE, MR SIDEY'S BILL. COMPROMISE EFFECTED. DEFERRED FOR THREE YEARS. (Special to the Times.) WELLINGTON. July 23. For the first time for many years in the history of New Zealand Parliament the House of Representatives last night indulged in an all-night stonewall on a private member’s bill. Air T. K. Sidey’s Definition of Time Bill was the bone of contention, and the “debate” dragged on till 5.20 a.m. before a compromise was effected. A large number of country members, prominent amongst them being Messrs Okey, Hine, Pearce. Wilkinson. Escott. E. Newman. Coates, and Anderson, kept up a tireless stonewall, whilst.the author of the Bill, to use the art phrase of Air Coates, “hung on to his pet measure with characteristic bulldog tenacity.” At 1.30 a.m.. although two motions to report progress, and one that the chairman leave the chair iiad been defeated, Mr Hine (Stratford) moved an amendment to the effect that the title of the Bill bo altered to "The Dunedin Time Saving Bill,” the object, he stated, being to restrict the operations of the measure to Air Sidey’s own city. The "discussion” on tills amendment lasted for two hours, when it was defeated by 26 votes to 13. A quarter of an hour later Mr Pearce (Patea) again moved to report progress. Air Escott (Pahiatua) stated that he and the other opponents of the Bill were prepared to hold the Bill up until midnight on Saturday. The motion was defeated by 27 votes to 20. Mr Pearce then moved that the chairman leave the chair, but at 5.4 5 a.m. this was also lost by 27 votes to 20. Air Hine at 6.30 a.m. moved an amendment to the effect that the operation of the Bill be postponed until November, 1918. Mr Sidey offered to accept this amendment if the Bill were allowed to go through Committee. The. Hon. \V. H. Herries. who, while not taking part in the stonewall had stated his opposition to the Bill as a country member earlier in the night, defied the terms of the suggested agreement. The opponents of the Bill, he said, claimed a free hand at all other stages df the Bill, and reserved the right to vote against the third reading. They would also ask the supporters of the measure to undertake, not to attempt to have the Bill restorer) to its original form when it reached the Legislative Council.

Air Sidey said that he was prepared to agree to the latter suggestion, but he could not bind supporters of the Bill outside of the House. Air Okey (Taranaki) said that lie was opposed absolutely to the Bill going on to the Statute Book, and although sitting up all night to fight the Bill he would agree to no compromise. Air Herries pointed out that the suggested compromise would “scotch" the Bill for the whole of the present Parliament. He jocularly suggested as a further condition, amidst much laughter from the members who .were still awake, that Mr Sidey should agree to rest from his legislative labours and bring forward no more bills during the remainder of the present Parliament. At 7.40 a.m. the amendment was agreed to by 36 to 12. A FIGHT CLAUSE BY CLAUSE. A division was then taken on the adoption of the clause as amended, the result being lhat the clause was agreed to by 35 to 12. The remainder of the Bill was then fought clause by clause, and the division hell was kept constantly ringing. Clause 3, the principal clause of the Bill, was carried by 29 voles to 16. This provides that from the hour of two in the morning of the first Sunday in November of each year until the hour of two in the first Sunday in February in each year New Zealand clock time shall be one hour in advance of New Zealand standard time, -"and that for the remainder of the year New Zealand clock time shall be the same as New Zealand standard time. Clause 4, which provides that "clocks time” shall be applicable to all Acts and legal instruments, was agreed to 30 votes to 15. The succeeding clause providing that astronomical and navigation time shall not be affected was agreed to on the votes. A new clause limiting the operation of the Bill to a period of three mojiths in one summer only, and that of 1918-19 was agreed to on the voice. The motion to report the Bill to the House was carried by 26 to 17. The BUI was accordingly reported, and the House rose at 8.20 a.m.