The Labour mesmbers talked on the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Bill at great length. Some speeches were also contributed by Liberal and Reform members. When the adjournment for dinner was taken at 5.30pm, Mr O’Brien, one of the Labour members, was still speaking, and the Labour Party was under the impression that they had talked out the report. When the House resumed there was a surprise in store for them when the Prime Minister moved that the debate on the committee’s report should be resumed. In order to do this a motion for the suspension of the Standing Orders had to be moved, and 40 members had to be present. The necessary number of members were in their seats, and the motion was duly seconded. The debate, which had taken up so much time in the afternoon, went merrily on.
The Hon Mr Nosworthy moved that the Bill be committed forthwith, and points of order against this raised by Mr McCombs and Mr Fraser were over-ruled by Mr Speaker. Thereupon Mr Holland charged the Prime Minister with a breach of faith, he having told him (Mr Holland) that he was not going to take the second reading that night. Mr Coates, however, explained that when he said that he was unaware of the fact that the second reading could be taken, and later, when Mr Sullivan, the Labour Whip, refused to agree to the taking of three other Bills on the Order Paper, it was decided to go on with the Arbitration Bill. It was 10 minutes past 6 in the morning before the Bill was put through its final stages and passed.
... on the tiles
September 9: Some little time ago Mr John Edie, the member for Bruce, fell when crossing the lobby just inside the main entrance to Parliament House, and this afternoon he caused considerable amusement by a reference in the House to the matter. Mr Edie wanted to know if the Prime Minister would have a carpet put across the marble floor. At present, he said, the place was more a death-trap than some of the level railway crossings he had heard mentioned in the Chamber.
The Prime Minister said that he thought the matter ought to have been mentioned to Mr Speaker, who was in charge of matters of the kind. "It seems an awful shame." added Mr Coates, "that that beautiful marble should be covered up. I admit that if you don’t watch your step you might slip. I don’t know that I can suggest anything to the honourable gentleman knowing his convictions." — (Laughter.)
A Voice: "Take more water with it." — (More laughter.)
Mr Coates: "I shall be very pleased to consult with Mr Speaker to see if a better path can be mapped out for the honourable member. — (Laughter.)
Mr Edie: "The Prime Minister is making a joke out of the whole thing."
A Member: "Interview the manager of Bellamy’s."
The Prime Minister assured the House that he was not treating the matter lightly. — ODT, 11.9.1925
Compiled by Peter Dowden
