Vol. 8 No. 4
I beg to move:—
"That the provisions of Standing Orders 86 and 88 as to the giving of notice for the taking of the Fourth and Fifth Stages of a Bill be suspended to permit of the Fourth and Fifth Stages of the Local Elections Postponement (Amendment) Bill, 1924, being taken to-day, Thursday, 3rd July, 1924."
Is there any objection to this motion?
I object.
I would appeal to Deputy Johnson to withdraw his objection, because I think that in the public interest this Bill should go through as soon as possible.
On the question of urgency, what is the date on which the elections will have to be held under the present law?
The 15th July, unless I make another Order.
Could you not postpone the elections till the 30th September?
Could the Minister make an Order to postpone the elections until September?
I could, but it would be an awkward thing to do, because it would leave people in the country under the impression that we were going to hold the elections on that date.
I would suggest to Deputy Johnson that he might withdraw his objection, as we have got a concession from the Minister in connection with this Bill. I think we might recognise the fact that he has made a concession, and that he is willing to meet us, and therefore I think we should allow him to make progress with his Bill.
If the Minister fixed the Fourth Stage of the Bill for Tuesday next, and got the Fifth Stage on the same day, would Deputy Johnson object to that?
No.
Fourth Stage ordered for Tuesday, 8th July.
