UPROAR IN PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1933, Page 7

UPROAR IN PARLIAMENT

CRITICISM OF THE CHAIRMAN

PROTESTS AT CLOSURE MOTION.

“MINORITY’S RIGHTS INFRINGED.”

SPEAKER ORDERS WITHDRAWAL.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Feb. 18. The House of Representatives was in an uproar at an early hour this morning when a dispute arose over the application of the closure on a clause in the Sales Tax Bill now in the committee stage. The Chairman of Committees (Mr. S. G. Smith, New Plymouth) sent for the Speaker (Sir Charles Statham) when Mr. P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central) refused to withdraw the words: “The most inefficient member who has ever sat in the chair of this committee.”

The incident occurred about. 5.30 a.m. After foijr Labour members, had spoken on an amendment by Mr. J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) to strike out the clause dealing with securities for the payment of the tax, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) moved the closure and there was instantly an outburst of protest from the Opposition benches, and Mr. Fraser called: “I ask that Mr. Speaker be sent for.” .The demonstration of protest continued, members standing in their places and declaring “Absolutely ridiculousi” “Silly!” Mr. Fraser added: "We will not stand this sort of thing. We have not had an opportunity to discuss the question.” Another Labour member submitted that the chairman had not used his discretion in applying the motion. Mr. Smith: I have exercised it

Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier): An infringement of the rights, of the minority. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon): We should leave the chamber as a protest

Mr. Fraser: No; not that The chairman again put the motion and there was further uproar, Mr. J. O'Brien (Labour, Westland) exclaiming: “You can’t play the game, anyhow.” Mr. Barnard: “We had no explanation from the Minister in charge.” Amid further shouting, Mr. Fraser said: "The most inefficient member who has ever sat in the chair of this committee!” . REFUSAL TO WITHDRAW. Mr. Smith: I ask you to withdraw that . Mr. Fraser: I won’t Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Labour .Auckland Suburbs): I want to endorse those words. Mr. Smith (to Mr. Fraser): Will you repeat what you said? f Mr. Fraser: The most inefficient member who has ever sat in the chair of thh? committee. Mr. R. Semple. (Labour, Wellington East): Inefficient and cowardly. The chairman took a note of the words used by Mr. Fraser, and then asked Mr. Semple what he had said. Mr. Semple: My mind Is so tired that I have become so absent-minded that I cannot remember. Mr. Smith: You used the words "inefficient and cowardly.” Further exclamations followed, in which, the Labour members cried: “Name us aIL” Mr. Smith then sent for the Speaker, before whom he-placed the circumstances of the Incident. Mr. Fraser said he had refused to withdraw because the chairman had accepted the closure motion in contravention of the spirit of governing standing order. He considered that, while the incident did not justify the use o the words he had employed, it had given provocation .to every member of the Opposition. The Speaker then asked Mr. Fraser to withdraw the words complained of, but Mr. Fraser declined, and on the Speaker’s Instruction he withdrew from the chamber. OBSTRUCTION ALLEGED. Mr. Forbes said Mr. Lee’s amendment had obviously been “delaying” the motion and culminated in a long period of obstruction. He contended that the whole Parliamentary machine would be brought to a standstill if the minority could prevent legislation going through. The only means of retaliation was the use of the closure. He did not think the House could complain about the closure being used. Mr. D. W. Coleman (Labour, Gisborne): Not until, you' came in. Mr. Forbes said the House had undoubtedly been getting out of hand. Mr. A. S. Richards (Labour, Roskill): Not before you came in. Mr. Forbes: I do not remember the occasion when greater disorder was shown and more unparliamentary words were used. The Leader of the Opposition, (Mr. H. E. Holland) took exception to the Prime Minister’s assertion that there had been obstruction. No standing order had been broken and the laws of the House had been strictly adhered to. There had been no disorder throughout the proceedings until Mr. Forbes had moved the closure. There had been no Ministerial explanation of the clause, and there had undoubtedly been strong feeling because the Opposition considered that the chairman had acted harshly. The Minister of Finance (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) said that until the incident occurred the conduct of the debate had been everything that could have been desired. It had been clear that the Opposition was endeavouring to delay the progress of the Bill. He personally had complained to the chairman from tune to time, but the later had refused to accept the closure motion. The Labour members, Mr. Smith said, complained that there had been insufficient opportunity for discussion. The subject under discussion at the time had been the main topic of debate for 24 hours. It had been discussed on the short title and other occasions. He had honestly used his discretion in accepting the closure motion.

Mr. Fraser was summoned back to the chamber and the Speaker asked him whether he would withdraw the words complained of and express regret Mr. Fraser said he would respect the rules of the House and do so. He then again left the chamber at the request of the Speaker. The Speaker pointed /out that it rested with the House to decide whether the position could be met by the acceptance of Mr. Fraser’s withdrawal and his expression Of regret It was decided, on the motion of Mr. Forbes, that no further action be taken, in view of Mr. Fraser’s withdrawal and expression of regret, and after the committee had resumed Mr. Smith and Mr. Fraser shook hands. Mr. Semple was asked for an explanation of the use of the word “cowardly." He said he had not so much directed it at the chairman as he had used it in a general sense with respect to the action in applying the closure. He had not been asked to withdraw it. The Speaker: Do you do so now?

Mr. Semple: Yes. The Speaker said that in view of Mr. Semple’s withdrawal the incident should close.