The Ontario Scrapbook Hansard

Ontario Scrapbook Hansard, 29 May 1920, p. 2

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Mr. Dewart's comments on the measure were not sympathetic. It was startling to say that the elected representatives." the people should not be allowed to pass on minor changes in franchlee agreements. ngemler Drury consented to ttrat Need Unanimous Consent. "This bill is intended to clear up a misapprehension," said the Col- one]. "The intention of the bill in 1909 (the Beck Act) was to make it impossible for municipal corpor- ations to give or change a fran- chioe without submitting the mat- ter to the ratepayers. Recenly a decision was given in our courts in Ontario saying Municipal Coun'cils could change a franchise without a vote of the electors. the reason be- ing that they could modify the tran- chise." of business. The principals in the Bght on the McCrae Bill simply re- vensed their position and went at it again. Col. Price. at the mornfng session, explained that the measure was applicable particularly to Lon- don, Ont. of Col. Price's bill to strengthen the Beck Act of 1909, providing mat. no changes can be made in a attest railway franchise without a. vote of tAe.ry?plo, was the very next item According to the. ruling of the Speaker. unanimous consent of the House was necessary to give me bill second reading, and the measure dies its expected and unlameried death when a. chorus of "No'a" u " claro their opposition. Reverse Their Position. I Hon. Mr. Crawford also pointed out the consideration of the time ; involved in a discusion of the mess- , ure. "It is a. bill strictly aimed at (Toronto," he argued. "and there is 'no real reason for it. My honor- able friend from Sudbury has no authority from Sudbury, nor no do- sire nor claim tor any legislation in this line. There is no other city and no municipality, and no other railway. so for as we are able to understand it, than the city of Tr. ronto and the Toronto Street Rail- way Company." Hon. Mr. Craw- ford declared his intention of put- 1 ting the House on record on the ttret treading. and not wait until the second. But the bill was declared to have received its first reading, and Hon. Mr. Crawford's intention was noe carried out. Mr. McCrae then moved for second reading and proceeded to I point out the dangerous situations} existing in certain municipalities,l where difficulties between employ- ens and employees threatened to bring matters to an impasse. If there were trouble it would be at the door of the Legislature for re- fusing to carry his manure. His bill, he argued. was in the interests of the citizens, because it would en- able them to iret out of a 1,ii,f1gii,et.l situation when that situation arose. _ t that a new hm be introduced." Anticipates Ruling. The bill got tirat reading in a. somewhat doubtful maner. J. W. Curry, WC. (Southeast Toronto), urged that the House put its foot down and refuse leave for the in. troduution of the measure. He moved, and Hon. Thos. Crawford seconded, that the bill "be not now introduced." In the general manoeuvring, however, this motion was apparently lost sight of. Aimed at Toronto. Col. Price thereupon commenced all over again from a new anCIe. Admitting the correctness of the procedure of Mr. McCrae he bettbd to point out to the honorable Leader of the. Home the length of time re- quired to thrash out anew on the ttoor of "the Lowlature principles already fought over ht the ttrst bill. Premier Drury, with a susplclon of a smile, pointed out to the Home that tirart, second and third reedlnge could be given a. measure in one day, providing the House was unani- mous. "I Would euggest." he said, "that if the honorable member would move for that, second and third readings he can possibly secure a serge of the feelings of the House. But Mr. McCrae had even anticl- pated the ruling of the chair. He arose with a. new hill in his hand. "aetly the me as that. which it wan requeeted be withdrawn. and seconded by H. Hill, W002. Ottawa, mop/td tor ttrst reading. The aftirgtttitivett and the negatives were called for. and of the com- putatlve few who risked a verbal expression of either nature the 'YetN" had it and the Chair was summed. Thus Col. Price's hilt was refused second reading, so far as yes- terday was concerned. Sir Adam Beck's comment on the Price hill Mat night w" distinctly favorable to the measure. It closed up a loophole in the Beck Act of 1909. he said. Before the vote on the motion tol, upset the Chair's ruling was taken." Hon. Walter Rollo pointed out that the ruling of Mr. Speaker was ac- cording to constitution. It was set by the statute and he had no alter- native but to prohibit first reading, discussion and second reading all on the same day without a unanimous vote of the House. Premier Drury took occasion to point out the seriousness of the House voting to throw out a. ruling of the Chair. While he himself had been prepared to vote for Col. Price's bill, he would hesitate against casting uside constitutional rule: in order to have it out through. T. Magladery, Timiekaming. sug- gested that if the necond reading could not lezaliy he given on the some day without a unanimous vote, there would be another day-one minute after midnight. Rollo Upholds Smoker. Hon. George S. Henry wanted to talk on the measure at this juncture. and he, too. was halted toy Mr. Dewart's technical objection that he was out of order. J. W. Curry sug- gested a way out of the dilemma by suggesting that the House should be boiled whether or not the bill should be read a. second time. Hon. Mr. Henry, however, was able to inter- ject his regrets that. for the first time in his recollection he would have to vote against the ruling of the chair. Hon. Thos. Crawford also said that for the first time he, too, would have to oppose tho chair's ruling. He took the ground that Col. Price was Justified in assuming from the recep- tion accorded his bill In the morning that it would later on in the day be given second reading, or at least the dignity of discussion. R. R. Hall. Liberal, Parry Sound, proceeded to argue in favor of the measure. when technical objection was made by opponents of the bill that, as unanimous consent was not forthcoming.second reading could not be given. Mr. Speaker sustained the point. Col. Price contested his ground by calling for a majority vote of the House on the. suspension of the rules, and moved an appeal from Mr. Speaker's ruling. Mr. Dewart declared himself op- posed to giving the bill second road- ins. It was just an effort, he said. to get away from and override a. decision of the courts. He knew where the milk was in the cocoanut ---the bill emanated from the head of the Hydro-electric Commission. Hall For the Measure. Charles McCrae was in favor. Hit: remarks, laudatory of the measure. drew a reply from Dr. Stevenson, London, a hearty supporter of the bill. There was plenty of money in the railway affected, Dr. Stevenson eald, to pay the wages asked for by the London Street Rallwaymen and extra management if it were desired. fading in the mor'ninm and, there- tore, the bill came on in the after- noon for -Mtttt1 reading, but, as with Mr. McCruo'a bill, unanimou- conlent was necessary. q Ruling.

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