Sittings of the House

As we know, on Wednesday during the general debate members have only 5 minutes to speak. The next member is about to take his call and will get only 2 minutes before the House rises for the dinner break. I seek the leave of the House for us to rise now so that the next member can have an uninterrupted speech after 7.30 p.m.

💬 Rt Hon Winston Peters: How about I go until 6 o’clock? I seek leave for that.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): The member can seek leave himself.

I seek leave to continue until 6 o’clock.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): Is there any objection to that course of action being taken? There appears to be none. The member has 2 minutes.

Wonderful—

💬 Rodney Hide: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker—

No, the member was too late on his feet. Now he wants to raise points of order. He made no objection.

💬 Rodney Hide: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I objected as soon as you said it.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): Did the member object?

💬 Rodney Hide: I absolutely did.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): The member objected. OK. The honourable member Jill Pettis—[Interruption] I am on my feet. Mr Hide has taken objection, which means that leave will not be given. The honourable member Jill Pettis was seeking leave for the House to adjourn.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek the leave of the House to give Rodney Hide the opportunity to apologise for the statements he has made with regard to Jim Peron, as we would expect any honourable, decent gentleman to do.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): I call the honourable member Jill Pettis, who wished to take a point of order. She was seeking leave for the House adjourn.

Yes. I seek leave for the House to rise in 45 seconds.

The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): Is there objection to that course of action being taken? There appears to be none.

Sitting suspended from 5.59 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.