THREE DEFEATS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19783, 5 March 1927, Page 7

THREE DEFEATS

MR. LANG STRIKES TROUBLE OPPOSITION TO LIQUOR BILL. Received March 4, 8.55 pan. SYDNEY, March 4. Pandemonium reigned in the Assembly to-day when the Government sought tho endorsement of the House to tho Legislative Council’s amendments to the Liquor Bill. The Government was defeated three times, on one occasion by 37 votes to 34, on a motion for the application of the gag, on the second occasion by 37 votes to 35, and on the Legislative Council’s amendment permitting liquor to bo served with meals till nine o’clock at night in restaurants holding wine licenses. On the third occasion the defeat was on an amendment granting licensees the right of appeal. The Government’s defeat was due to the fact that five members of the Labour Party, Messrs Evatt, Booth, Stuart, Robertson, Murphy and McGirr, refrained from voting. Tho Opposition went wild with jubilation and there were choruses of “Re sign,” “Resign.” Tho House accepted the Council’s other amendments and tho final stage of the measure was carried by 41 votes to 39.