SMALL WORKING MAJORITY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25046, 30 November 1946, Page 8

SMALL WORKING MAJORITY

GOVERNMENT’S POSITION IN HOUSE

If official counts do not alter the results in doubtful electorates, the Government will have a majority of six in the House of Representatives, which is considered to be the lowest satisfactory figure. A majority of only four would be reduced to three by the election of a Speaker, and unforeseen absences through illnesses or other causes would make the transaction of Government business an uncertain affair. When the House was in committee on bills or estimates the position would be even more difficult, because then the Government would lose another vote by having to provide a Chairman of Committees. There is nothing to prevent Mr Speaker’s voting when the House is in committee, but no precedent could be remembered by Legislative Department officers yesterday. The Reform Government, led by Mr W. F. Massey, had a difficult period of office from 1922 to 1925. There were only 38 Reform members, who had to govern with the help of three Independents. The situation was only possible because the other 39 members were split into the Liberal Opposition of 22 and the Labour Party. To-day the position is very different, with a single, strong Opposition party.