The only business now, Sir, is the motion in the name of Senator Cogan. The Minister for Agriculture is not available and this is a matter which could be raised quite easily on the Appropriation Bill. It would seem to me to be unreal to begin a discussion on the motion at this late stage in the day.
Order of Business.
Perhaps the Minister will be available. My impression is that he will be available at a later date.
Yes, but not to-day. I think Senator Cogan would get a very poor House and reception to-day.
I feel that Senators have their rights in matters of this kind and are entitled to insist on them. It is quite possible the motion might not be taken until later in the year, if it is not taken now, because we might have a very long discussion on the Appropriation Bill.
Is it the Senator's desire that the House should now adjourn and resume at 3.15 p.m.?
Yes.
I am prepared to do that, but it seems to me to be a very unreal business at this end of the day. What is the Senator suggesting —that he should be allowed to make his speech on this motion and that there should be no reply?
The Minister can reply later on.
It is very unreal.
I suggest that we should at least proceed with the motion. The proposer of a motion usually speaks and some others may speak for or against it. The invariable custom is that the Minister comes in at some stage. I think we should not conclude to-day without giving the Minister an opportunity of speaking, or the debate should be adjourned until the Minister has an opportunity of speaking.
Very good. I hope the Senator has made sure of a quorum. I move the Adjournment until 3.15 p.m.
I understood that the question of a quorum was the Government's business.
Not in this particular instance.
Business suspended at 2.15 p.m. and resumed at 3.15 p.m.