LONG SITTING

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 89, 24 March 1931, Page 5

LONG SITTING

I FINANCP BILL

f MR. FRASER'S MOTION

FALL IN COST OF LIVING

f AMENDMENT DEFEATED

[ This Day. When It passed the Prime Minister's urgetecy motion yesterday, the Jfjouse of : Representatives embarked

hpon what no doubt, will be the longest sitting of the session. Mr. P. I Fraser's motion calling for an instruction totheVcommittee of the whole 'House* conferring upon it powers for making provision in the Bill to ensure u fall in the cost of living simultaneously with reduced wages, was debated till 2.35 am,' A division was . then taken aitd it was defeated by 46 voteß to 22; Captain Rushworth and Mr. O.Ci "'Black, together with the liftDoar'Pariy| : were the only members to support* it '" The" House then went into committee on the Bill dnd the debate on the ■hort tltte'was opened by Mr. Fraser, who raised objection to the Government's proposals being brought down in a Finance BiH, remarking that in 1922 two similar proposals were tirought down .in separate Bills, and the Government had been more frank with the Jlouse. • . Mr: Munra expressed the opinion that the measure should be called the "'PubW* Service, and General WageEarners' Disruption; Bill." Failure \tq,. fin* any bright spots in the Bill was admitted by Mr. Barnwd, who said the brightest thing about it waa its all-concealing title. . Speaking at 4,5 Mr. H. B. Holland said he took it the object of the , measure being called the Finance Bill was to prevent it being amended by the Legislative Council. the Bill was an Iwiergency bne.'and there was no provision to Restore 1 the Salaries of civil teervants once the' Emergency had been passed. K Mr. Fraser 4aid the Reform memlifers had refrained from any substantial participation in the debate, because they were virtually parties to the legislatiorl, "although they knew ttey could not defend it. Mr. Munro expressed the view that the legislation f was ' a carefully-laid plan '■ by interests outside Parliament to raid the wages of workers. Another title for the'Bill was suggested by the Rev. Carr, who favoured |he description "Finance Axe." He {considered "Workers' Compulsory Untemployment and Destitution Act" was pn alternative; At 6.55" a\m. the Prime Minister moved that the chairman should leave the chair, explaining that there were two earthquake committee meetings this morning. ■ - ' The sitting will -be resumed at 2.30 p.m. '";'•" ''",.;"