The Day In Parliament (Press, 26 September 1985)

On 26 September 1985, the Speaker of the House, Dr Wall, addressed a point of order regarding the scheduling of select committee meetings during a session that began at 2 p.m. Mr W. F. Birch, the National Party member for Franklin, sought clarity after a disagreement arose with the Government over the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee's meeting times. During the session, members deliberated on the significance accorded to private members’ bills listed on the Order Paper. In response to a point of order raised earlier in the week, Dr Wall confirmed that petitions opposing the Homosexual Law Reform Bill were legitimate and could be presented to Parliament. One such petition presented by Minister of Employment, Mr Burke, was signed by Ronald Arthur Pearson and 507 others, urging the Government to reconsider the current individual transferable quota and total allowable catch systems used in fishing. The New Zealand Finn Commission's annual report was tabled, alongside responses from Ministers to a total of 16 questions. Mr Hunt, the Acting Leader of the House, proposed a motion to expand the membership of the Parliamentary Service Commission, a motion that included the appointments of Doctors M. J. Cullen and Mr D. C. McKinnon, as well as Mr W. R. Storey and Mr J. J. Terris. The House subsequently engaged in a general debate under Standing Orders. Mr Birch introduced the New Zealand Mission Trust (Port Waikato Maraetai) Empowering Bill, which was forwarded to the Justice and Law Reform Select Committee after its introduction. The Nelson City Council (Trafalgar Park) Empowering Bill was also on the agenda and underwent its second reading. Members returned to the interrupted discussion concerning the Nuclear-Free New Zealand Bill, a private member's initiative led by Mr G. T. Knapp of the Democratic Party for East Coast Bays. The debate continued until the House adjourned for dinner at 5.30 p.m. Upon reconvening at 7.30 p.m., the bill was officially introduced following a vote that concluded with 42 in favour and 30 against, and it was then assigned to the Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committee. The Acting Minister of Justice, Mr Caygill, presented the Electoral Amendment Bill (No. 2), which was also introduced via a vote of 41 to 30, proceeding to the Justice and Law Reform Select Committee. Additionally, Mr D. W. A. Marshall from the National Party, representing Rangitikei, proposed a private member’s bill titled the Export of Sheep and Cattle for Slaughter Bill. The discussion on this bill was halted as the House rose at 11 p.m.

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