PARLIAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 83, 17 March 1931, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE HAS FIRST ALLNIGHT SITTING LABOUR MEMBERS FIGHT ALL THE WAY ADDRESS-IN-REPLY NOW DISPOSED OF SERIES OF AMENDMENTS FINANCE BILL INTRODUCED Press Association. —Copyright. WELLINGTON, This Day. The emergency session of the House of Representatives had its first all-night sitting when urgency was accorded the Address-in-Reply motion. All amendments were disposed of, and the motion was passed by 6.30 a.m., whereupon the Finance Bill was introduced by Governor-General's message, and eventually read a first time. Labour members forced divisions on all formal stages and the House rose at 7.20 a.m. till 7.30 to-night. Continuing the debate on Mr. M. J. Savage's amendment, Mr. H. E. Holland, speaking at 3.30 a.m., asked whether the Government had anything to say in regard to the proposals it contained.

No Government member replied, and the division was taken at 4.20 a.m. This resulted in the defeat of the amendment by 40 votes to 22. Captain Rushworth and Mr. Fletcher voted with Labour. Mr. McKeen then moved an amendment, "That in the opinion of this House the proposals contained in His Excellency's Speech for amending the powers governing the Arbitration Court will lay the foundations for the repudiation of agreements which have been freely and honourably entered into by employers and employees, and will have the effect of destroying public confidence in constitutional and peaceful means of settling industrial disputes." Mr. Savage seconded the amendment and said that when society refused to live up to its agreements it was a pretty poor look-out. Trying to Break Agreements The Government was trying to break the industrial agreements without the approval of the parties concerned. Mr. H. E. Holland said it was the duty of the Government to set an example for the rest of New Zealand. He went on to criticise the increase in postal charges, and said he believed they would drive business away from the Post Office. He condemned the action of the Government in adding almost £1,000,000 to taxation without consulting the House. Amendment Defeated Mr. Holland declared the House was entitled to a statement from the Prime Minister concerning the proposals before the debate concluded. A division was taken on Mr. McKeen's amendment at 5.55 and defeated by 37 votes to 20. Continuing the debate on the original motion, Mr. Fraser criticised the administration of the Unemployment Act and claimed there had been no indication in the speeches of Government members when the Bill was before the House' that there would be a repudiation of the principle of sustnance when no work could be provided. Finance Bill The motion was adopted at 6.30 a.m., and the Finance Bill, dealing with reductions in the Civil Service salaries and the powers of the Arbitration Court, was introduced by Gov-ernor-General's message. Speaking on the question that the Bill be referred to a committee of the whole House, Mr. Forbes said he had no desire to facilitate any stage of the Bill, not even that stage. There was no necessity to ask what it contained, because his proposals were already known to everybody. Labour members called for a division. Mr. Forbes said he only desired that the Bill be referred back to the House and read a first time, so that it could he printed and circulated among members. The motion was adopted by 38 votes to 20, and the Bill was read a first time, Labour members fo*cia# a division on all stages. Hepljrtos to the Et. Hon. J. G. Onaias, Mir. PorbetJ said he would introduce) taxation measures after the House had disposed of the earthquake legislation.