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Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 14

—— *»_y un. Mr Mathison: They should 1 been appointed by the House. _ Objections To Report Continuity of interest was the c riding consideration of the commis said Mr Lake. The inference from Mathison’s speech was that the c mission favoured the Governn xvhich appointed it. Of the 82 ot tions to the original report of commission 12 objections were rr by the National Party or its memt and only two were upheld. Was ' favouring the National Party? Mr Mathison: What has that go do with the Lyttelton electorate? The Labour Party lodged six ot tions, and two were not upheld. Mr Lake. That did not tie up with statement that the commission 1 cured the Government The seats

Piako—were abolished, and if it . not been for the commission the Hol would not have the promising ne member for Heretaunga and “baUyhoo” about the commg Prii Minister. Even Mr Mathison had 1 Labour votes transferred from Woolston area to his electorate. “That decision was, I may say, v< acceptable to me, and I made no Jecrion,” Mr Lake said. ■“Who would?” asked Mr J. B. K (Opposition. Westland). Mr Lake said that the Labour Pa objected, and organised a petition, s the objection was upheld. If he or ' itional Party had organised a si lar petition, which could have 1 done without any great difficult was doubtful whether the comm; would have reversed its earlier cision.

“Why All This Fuss?” Why did Mr Mathison make all fuss about something that never pened? asked Mr Lake. He ca slur on everyone concerned. It malicious for a member to the protection of the House to rr damaging statements about reputi decent New Zealand citizens who not have the opportunity of defenc themselves.

Mr Mathison: I will say it anywl at any time. ”1 arfi prepared to resign the I telton seat tomorrow and contes: with the member for Avon any < he likes,” said Mr Lake. r . Mr Mathison: You might not have f "If the member for Avon is p r pared, I win take him on.” said 1 Lake. “It is all very well to spe i from a position of strength where y » have a thumping majority, but it seats like Lyttelton which keep t. { Government in power. We have r tained the Lyttelton seat, and we w retain it for many years to come.” By inference the Opposition su gested that something was wrong wi « the election, said Mr Lake. Peop £ were asking what was wrong, ar whether the Electoral Officer was n doin£ his job. From all he knew tl election in Lyttelton, as elsewhere New Zealand, was properly conducts There were competent returning ol cers and staffs. The petition for