PARLIAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 69, 21 November 1913, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

THURSDAY, NO'. LJITEU JO

LEGISLATIVE COUNOIL.

[Pee Pbebs Association. l

Wellington, November 20. The Legislative Council met at 2.00. The State Advances, and Hauraki Plains Amendment Bill were read a Hard time. The Hon. F. H. Bell moved the second reading of the Bank of New Zealand Bill, explaining that its- object was—A) To make provision for the renewal of the State guarantee of one million pounds, which tails due in Julv next ; i.2) to enable the Bank, as necessary, but with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to increase its capital to a sum not exceeding three millions. The Bill was read a second time, and the Council rose at 4.55 P-'n. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. The Hon. W. Fraser, replying to r tir J. Ward, said that the Tenders Boa’-d had recommended the acceptance of a tender for the new Parliament Buildings. The matter was hung up, pending a report of experts ~s to the stone to be used fdf the front of the building. He hoped to have Tie report in a day or two. legislature amendment. Members of the Opposition proceeded to give notice of amendments to be moved when the Legislature Amendment Bill got into Committee. Each amendment (some were of inordinate length) was read in extenso, and after hali'-iln-hour’s procedure of that nature the Speaker rose and said he thought the time of the Hoilse was dicing wasted, and it was unnecessary for members to read their amendments, but he would leave it to the good taste of members. Sir Joseph Ward said that the .course was perhaps, an extraordinary oho, but they were fighting for a principle, and must adopt cxtraoidiharv methods.

The Hon. W. F. Massey said that the attitude of the Opposition nas not in accordance with constitutional custom! It 'was' simply a waste o! time to prevent the opinion of the 'majority of the members of the House being placed ,on the Statute Book. I Mr .1. RobortsOn stated to the House chat; ho wished to withdraw a statement made some days ago,that Cojono! Heilrd 'was in .charge' of the special ‘constables, , , He explained, that he had, met Colonel Heard) fcndi was hot certain that he wakt not 'the officer Hhdt gave the order lie (Mr Robertson, bad overheard. . That officer held a similar rank to Colonel, Heard, but he could not name him in the House, as ho had so far not had an opportunity of meeting him. When the Legislature Amendment •Bill was called ,on„ Sir J. Ward moved : llie adjourhihent of the House. • .1 :x Mr Massey:'challenged, ,the,.motion„ and tiie (Speaker; asked for time to consider whether a private member had a right'to 'move the atli'biirnhient of j the House. , 1 . • , The House went into Committee on the Bill. ’ ' ■ jv l Mr J. V.' Birnvn moved to strike out the word “Act” in the short title, and substitute the word ‘‘Statute.” After some discussion the Chairman allowed the amendment to ho moved. The House resumed at 7.30. The debate on the Bill was continued from the afternoon. Similar tactics to those adopted on Wednesday morning were continued. At nine o’clock a division was taken on Mr J. V. Brown’s amendment This, after a verbose discussion, was defeated by 38 to 19. ,Mr G. W. Russell then moved to report progress.

The motion was discussed at length, and the Chairman expressed his right do disallow tedious repetition to such an. extent that several members were asked to resume their seats. The debate was resumed on Mr T. M. Wilford’s amendment, the speakers advancing various arguments tor the postponement of the coming into force of the Bill as passed. The House was left sitting at 2

ALL-NIdHT SITTING. ADJOURN FOR BREAKFAST. Wellington. November 21. At 2.35 it.m.j a division was taken on Mr Wilford’s amendment, which was lost by 32 to 13. A motion by Mr Poland that the chairman leave the chair was debated by eight Oppositionists till 8 a.m., when it was lost on a division. At, 8.28 came the breakfast adjmu nement.