A DRAWN BATTLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8312, 28 February 1912, Page 5

A DRAWN BATTLE.

. ' " O» ■■ NO-CONFiDENCE MOTION. /-HOUSE EQUALLY DIVIDED. THE SPEAKER'S CASTING VOTE. *' GOVERNMENT RETAINS OFFICE. Per Press Association. " WELLINGTON, February 27. In the House tliis afternoon the debate on the Addross-in-Reply was * resumed. ". - 1 - Mr Glover (Auckland Central) continued the debate oh the Address-in- , Keply. He was, he said, in the House to preserve the interests of the masses, and -'he would bow to no one so far as lni& ;- allegiance to the workers and masses was, concerned. He proceeded to; review- the Governor's Speech, and applauded the provisions contained therein. One matter which called for immediate: investigation was the high *ost of living; A commission should ■ be set.up at once to go into""thatf-mat-r-. ter. ; He urged the; prosecution "of. the -'„. ■jEast Coast railway,; 'where> there was '-'; some .of the most -fertile country; and the settlers there were handicapped in getting their product away to markets, through the harbours having bar troubles; • With regard to'the charges of maladministration levelled against the. ' Government," their opponents shbujd bring forward those charges and Slave them tested. He recommended -^w^ members, to review the humanitarian } legislation invented and passed by the present Administration. . Jkfr,'T. W. Rhodes (Thames) declared that he was independent. He had given* a voluntary pledge to his electors to vote for the Ward Administration. He had also given them to : understand that he would vote for the freehold. He stood for principles, for measures, not men. He would give lus support to any measure which was in theinterest of the people, no mat- * tec from which side of the House it emanated. He had listened very attentively to all that had" been said, and was sorry to see so much mudsliiiging. A lot had been said against the (Government, but not one tittle of evidence had been adduced in support of it. Innuendoes., and inference had been rampant, but there was nothing specific. He wanted to hear what the Government had done wrong, and how the Opposition - could do- better. He honoured the member for Grey Lynn (Mr Payne) for having the courage of ids convictions and breaking his pledge wh«n he recognised that to keep it 1 be doing an injury to the people. The Government had legislated on progressive, democratic and humanitarian lines, and he hoped to assist in furtherance of the programme of the Liberals. Interest was given to' the debate by Mr Veitch rising. He said that for i the last fifteen years he had had a p--gr«at deal to do with trades union i work. He had imagined that on coming to Parliament "he i would have to acquire a great deal of polish, but he had riot been greatly'impressed with Parliament. At conference sittings in Wellington business was conducted in a Way that would' compare favourably with "the ways of Parliament. Personal reflections were not thrown across \the table, as they were across the Parliamentary Chamber. He _ denied that the workers were divided among themselves, as was stated by the '■newspapers. There was never a time when Labour realised so much the need for union. Some thought there should be an organisation to defend Labour in Parliament : others thought the organisation should be to defend Labour's interests outside Parliament. He did not see why both organisations should not exist. It had been said that tlie demands of Labour were unreasonable. It was • only human nature:to ask for; as much as one could get. One thing was certain, and that wan that" the workers had never yet obtained anything out of reason. It was fair to deduce that their demands had never been out of reason. He stated that the Governor' s ■'■• speech was far from being an insult to the intelligence of Parliament. It appealed to him very much. He dealt with several of the subjects contained in the Speech, especially with the cost of living. He disagreed entirely with the theory that the increased cost of living was due., to increased wages, f In his opinion the chief' causes were commercial monofc.'poly, land monopoly,, and taxation to praise. money: for public works. ne Admitted the honesty of the Government's remission of duties on tne necessaries of life, but the remission had been collared by commercial monopolists. He contended that it was ten 'times more reasonable tor the State to fix the price of:^a commodity than that its price should be fixed by commercial monopolists Ihere existed in New Zealand a system ot monopoly so complete that it was practically impossible for any small or financially weak firm to operate suein opposition to them. ±le ESSted that Pthe Monopolies Prevention Act had not yet been put into Ward : It has., Mr Veitch,, continuing, said \he had not heard of it, but was glad to learn that it was so. He thought there was AnvthLg could be dealt with it courW arid determination were brought to bea^ He hoped that whichever ptrtv came into power would promptly Sincerely- take this matter up, and deal with commercial' .monopolies. He Sured members that the Labour Party were not unreasonable. He exJrts&d the hope that^hen they were Jelled on to give an account of their works-he did not know whether three Tears or three months lience-(laugh-S-it would be admitted that the Labour members had not borne themselves unworthily. In conclusion, be sad that the workers were, leaving the Arbitration Court because it failed to five them satisfaction. Arbitration "^ function At present the Couitfa Elided by both'sfdes on concluding , P The Hon. D. Buddo asked what reason could be adduced for a change of the present Administration. The]

land laws were sound, and the.general administration could not be attacked on reasonable grounds. Speaking after the House resumed fi* 7-3?-P- m-» Mr Robertson (Otaki) held that the whole point of the Opposition's criticism was directed against administration, and if there was a change therein, as had been promised, there could, as far as he had been able to see from the Opposition's criticism, be no objection to the Liberal policy being pursued. , He desired to make his position clear in regard to his pledges. He -denied giving; a pledge( to those who were.simply opposed to, the Government. He had said that he would assist to overthrow the Administration, but had stated, that he was just as strongly opposed to the Massey Party. The no-conndeiiee ..motion ■■ -vvras 'not simply to turn out the Ward Government, but to put Mr Massey in power. He vrould never- assist in^dping this. He i^as in a pbsition,th^^Me;:inust keep the ;is:pirit;^'{an;d'-:'ferea^;^'>|;Ki|''.i;'.istter of his pledge, or vicevyefsa;'''^He chose to break the letter and keep the spirit of his pledge. After a consideration of various factors he had come to the conclusion that he could not assist in giving a new lease, of life to*the Massey Party. The country looked for a lead from the party in power, and if this was given by the present Administration they would once more lead the way in democratic reform, ■ Mr. Atmore (Nelson) said he. came into the House 4 ."free' man. had, refused nomination by both p^rtiesj' and stood. •■' as an Independent. ■-s■} He stood as, a protest against the Atnericah system of spoils to the victors. He was prepared tp give credit to the Government ,for ;> nearly all, its legislation, which had been asked for by the people. Members' votes were too.much influenced by party consideration.^ He supported compulsory military training, which was necessary, seeing that the volunteer system had . broken down. He dealt with the Yellow Peril, which was\a real, one, and said the man was a criminal who opposed the training of his children in the work of defence. Referring to the land problem, he criticised the leaseholders' position, and said that, the unearned increment could always be obtained by means of taxation. He believed in each man having a small freehold. Aggressive Socialism was; making headway in Europe and Great Britain. By granting the freehold they would stem aggressive Socialism, which was ultimately bound to come. He asked the Opposition if it was prepared to take up the Government land policy, also to apply its policy in Native lands to ordinary lands. Mr Massey: "Treat them both alike.". v . Mr Atmore said he did not believe that the people desired another election. The best brains of both partiesshpuld get together and solve, the present problem, leaving party considerations aside. He condemned the party system, ' the Judicature .Amendment Act, and also the gi ft of a Dreadnought. He asked for a definite pronouncement from/Mr Massey on the graduated land tax. Touching on the labour question he said 4 that this was' , bound lip with the cqst of living. There FOiildbeno occupation 'for. the agitator if they did, away, with the party system and got down to ' the root of the trouble. The Governor's*'speech contained a truly radical programme, but it could not be carried out for a number of years. They must increase their primary.. producers before: this could be clone. He-opposed the second ballot, which must be abolished. There was an uneasy feeling •.throughout the Dominion"-that the Opposition were the lineal descendants of the old squatter party.. If they succeeded to power the Opposition would have to. introduce a radical programme, otherwises >their reign would ,be. short. . . ,j/; Mr Fisher (Wellington Central) reviewed the' history of the Ward Adminr istration, recalling the blunders made by the Premier, and the causes leading to ill-feeling in the Liberal Party. Sir Joseph, 'Ward's hereditary title had cost A*him thousands of votes. The gambling legislation was responsible for the defeat of the Liberals. He quoted many, former members of the Ministry on>causes leading to the downfall of the Liberal Party, which was divided against itself. He criticised the legislation passed ,by the Government, and suggestions of legislation contained in the Governor's speech. He gave the Government credit for some of the legislation passed, but complained that some of the planks of the Opposition.programme had been appropriated. Why, he asked, had not the Government introduced.last session some of the proposals contained in the Governor's speech? They had a majority of 24 then, but they had made no endeavour to carry out what was now proposed. He objected to the lack of facilities afforded members for perusal of departmental papers and documents. . ' Mr Hanaii (Invercargill) said the Opposition were possessed of a sordid , desire to gains i the Treasury Benches, and for personal aggrandisement at any cost. They were the off-shoot of the old Tory Party, and held their views. At midnight the division bell,rang on.Mr Massey's amendment. The division resulted in 'a tie—39 votes to 39. The division wUs I 'as follows: —^ FOB THE. GOVERNMENT—39. Atmore ' McKerizie ■ Brown T. McKenzie Buddo Millar Buxton Myers Carroll Ngata Clark Parata Coates Payne Golvin Poland Craigie \Reed Davey Robertson Dickie ) Russell Ell Seddon , Forbes Sidey Glover Smith, R. W. Hanan Thomson, J. C. Hindmarsh Ward Isitt - Witty Laurenson. Rarigihiroa McOallum Rhodes McDonald > AGAINST THE GOVERMENT-rSg. Buick Lee . . . Buchanan Malcolm Campbell •=■ Mander Dickson .. Massey* . EvScott Newman . Fisher Dr. A. K. Newman Fraser Nosworthy Guthrie Okey Harris Pearce Alien Pomare Andereon Rhodes Bell Scott Bollard' Smith ' J. Bollard Statham R. F. Bradney Sykes Herdman Thomson, G: M. Herries Veitch Hine Wilson Hunter ' Young Laing Mr Speaker having announced that the voting was equal, said: "That being the case, and according to the usual constitutional practice and procedure when the. House is; equally divided, it becomes my duty to give a

casting vote. That vote is invariably given by the Speaker in order to show (that in his vote _ he is quite impartial i in the way he gives that vote, especii ally .when the House is undecided whether the House has confidence or not in the Government that sits on the Government benches. As the House is undecided on that question • it is my duty to give my vote with the Noes, which.l accordingly do, and declare the amendment lost. v There was no applause the result was.) announced. >■-<; \ ' The Speaker then put the. question: "That a respectful address to His Excellency the Governor be agreed to," and this was carried on the voices. Mr Massey,. speaking on the motion for adjournment, : "I' wash to take'the: opportunity of congratulating the Right Honi the Premier on his win. (Hear, hear, and applause). I do not grudge it to him ml the very slightest. I think he will admit that we have put up a good fight. (Hear, I hear). /Unfortunately we were riot able to overcome all the influences brought to bear —(Ministerial laughter and uproar)—-but I venture to j)redict that next time a want \of confidence motion comes /before the House it will not be -decided on the casting ,vote of the Speaker. (Applause.) N ,:: The >Prime ijinistery, who was applauded as' he rose, said: " ; 'l thank the Leader >of the Opposition "-'veivy sincerely ifor;" th^-kind: congratulations 'which*'he! sji'aM- been: good enoiigh to extend to me;. I. Want" ;to assure him that ■ I recpgnise thjktv h?ia side has put, up a good fight, about which no imputations , 'of any sort or kind can be made by me. We also have. put up a good fight, and, the win on the casting vote of the Speaker isf due to, • the opening of the. eyes of the Labour Party in this country^ I want to point out r tp all our friends on this side, of; the House, while thanking theni for'the very honourable way in which they have stood by the Government in a. very trying time, that I realise .the full 'import of the position arrived at in the House It is not the mere fact that we are in a majorityf It is the fact that throxighout the country a large number of people of every class thought it desirable foir various ireasons to give Government candidates not such hearty support as on former occasions, but a split which had existed had told its tale. ,J. also venture to predict that on the next occasion when we have a division in his Hojise it will not be on the casting vote of the .Speaker, but it will be by the masses, of the people realising the narrow escape they have had from falling, into tlie'arms rof the-vultures. Mr Massey: What? Arms of the vultures ?, (Laughter.);. Sir Joseph Ward:' I sliould say claws. It is a recognition by the; people outside of .Parliament that they in the future,; as they have done; in the- past for the best part of » quarter of a century, will support the Liberal Administration, and that they will not make the mistake of haying a narrow escape from a time of old Tory rule. Let me again thank the hon. gentle;man for. his kind congratulations. He is speaking from -."■•his heart; ■ He /sees the'v?riting on theJwalL- </:- ; ; ; The Hiiiuse rose;at 12.15 a;m. to resume at 2.30, on Thursday. ■''; ;