M.P.’S REVOLT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 939, 8 December 1933, Page 7

M.P.’S REVOLT.

RESENT GAMING BILL TACTICS. “ Pestered by Lobbyists.” COALITIONISTS DEFINE THEIR POSITION. (“Star” Parliamentarv Reporter.) WELLINGTON. December 8. “ The defeat of the motion for urgency on the Gaming Amendment Bill was due solely to the blundering and stupid tactics employed by the Prime Minister.” This opinion was advanced today by three Coalition members who voted against their leader on this issue. Among those who opposed the urgency motion were several members who had publicly avowed themselves as being supporters of the Bill. They have now been charged with inconsistency, but they point out that in their opinion the vote had nothing to do with the proposals contained in the Bill but was merely a question of procedure. “ For days we frittered away time on the Poultry Runs Registration Bill and other minor measures.” said one leading Coalition supporter. No urgency was taken for them and no urgency was taken for important Government Bills; yet without consulting members of the party in anv shape or form the Prime Minister tried to bludgeon the House into giving the Gaming Bill treatment which could only be described as preferential.” Outsiders’ Boast. Another member of the Coalition who voted against the urgency motion said that it was apparent that a number of people outside the House had been boasting that whatever else happened urgency would be accorded this measure. . , , “Surely it was not right that these people, with no responsibility to the country, should be able to extract a concession which was denied to elected members of the House.” he said. “ " e are not puppets and we contend that we have more right to the confidence of the Government than outsiders who are interested in one measure only. We have been loyal to the Government and we are still loyal, but to expect us to be blind in our loyalty and allow Parliament to become simply a voting machine at the behest of outside organisations is asking too much Keen resentment was also expressed at the activities of interested parties in button-holing members on particular measures before the House. On at least three occasions during the present session members allege that tne> have been pestered by lobbyists, who have been sent into the precincts of the House with the intention of persuading members to support Bills designed to benefit limited sections of the community. Breach of Privilege. “Not onlv is it a breach of privilege liable to be severely punished, but it is an insult to the intelligence of members.” declared another member of the Coalition. ‘‘l have been sent here bv the electors of my district to vote in accordance with their views and in accordance with my own conscience, and I am sick and tired of people who have no right in the place at all attempting to me how 1 should vote on any Bill.” (A report of the discussion on the Bill appears on Page 11.).