Parliamentary.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2287, 4 March 1912, Page 5

Parliamentary.

| THE PAYNE CHARGES. MR MASSEY WITHDRAWS. When the House met at 7.30 on Monday last a development not altogether unlocked for took place. Mr Massey, at the outset, asked permission to make a statement, and this was granted by Mr Speaker. Mr Massey then read the following:— Sir, on Fiiday evening, in giving an account of a conversation between the member for Grey Lynn and myselt at the request of the former. I quoted an extract from a letter that I had read to the member mentioned. In doing so I committed a grave error. The terms of the extract suggested that a member of tills House was subjected to corrupt influences. Some of ray own words may have been capable of the same construction, though I did not so intend them, by such members. The words I used with reference to the Prime Minister and the member for Napier appeared to have been understood as suggesting that the members I have mentioned employed some improper influence, I feel it my duty to the House, to the Prime 'Minister, to the member for Napier, and to (lie member for Grey Lynn to express my regret not only for reading the extract. but for the words I myself, used, and, further, it is due to (hem that I should at the earliest possible moment unreservedly withdraw all imputations against those lion, members. I do not believe that a bribe has been accepted by any member of the House, or that any member of the House has offered another a bribe. My statement was made without previous consultation with my party, and I have only been guided by my sense of what is due by one man to another, and by a member of this House to the House. PRIVILEGE COMMITTEES REPORT. CHARGES WITHOUT FOUNDATION. The Privilege Committee reported on Wednesday in regard to the Payne bribery allegations that the bribe was neither seriously offered nor accepted. Mr Massey’s refusal to produce the letter is reported to the House as a fact, without recommending that any further steps should be taken. NO CONFIDENCE DEBATE. THE DIVISION. A GOVERNMENT VICTORY. The division was taken at midnight on Tuesday before galleries that were crowded, ft had been assumed as safe that Mr Veitch would vote with Mr Massey, and lie moved off' to the Ayes lobby without hesitation. Then all interest centred in Mr Atmore, who remained seated, talking to Mr Coates. His seat is bn the centre aisle at the division of the ways. He rose and followed the Government men, who were marching to the Nous lobby. This settled the fate of the no-confidence amendment. Everyone knew that the numbers would bo “39 all,” and that Mr Speaker would vote against the amendment, party predilection in this case coinciding with constitutional usage. There was some delay in announcing the numbers, Mr Bradney's vote having apparently boon overlooked by the tellers. This was rectified, and Mr Speaker announced the result: ‘‘The Ayes arc 39, the Noes are 39. That being the case, according to the usual constitutional practice and ' procedure when the House is equally divided, it becomes my duty to give a casting vote. This vote is invariably given by the Speaker in order to show that in bis vote be is quite impartial in the way that bo gives that vote, especially when the House is undecided whether it lias confidence or not in the Government that sit on the Government benches. As the House has not decided on that question, it is my duty, and I accordingly give my vote with the Noes, ’ and declare the amendment lost Unlock the doors. ’ The following is the division-list : Ayes (39) Allen, Anderson, Bell, J. Bedard. R.. F. B illard, Bradnev, Buchanan, Buick. Campbell, Dickson, Escott, Fisher, Fraser, Guthrie, Harris, Herdrnan, Hurries, Hine. Hunter. Lang,Loo. Malcolm. Mauder, Massey, E Newman, A. K. Newman. Nosworthy, Okey, Pearce, Pomare, R. II Rhodes, Scott, F. H. Smith, Statham, Sykes, G M. Thomson, Veitch, Wilson, Young. Noes (39). Atmore, Brown, Buddo, Buxton, Carroll, Clark, Coates, Colvin, Craigie, Divey, Dickie, Ell, Forties, (Hover, Hamm. Hiudmarsli, Jsitt, Laurenson, M'Callnm, Macdonald, T. M’Ke.nzie, R. Mackenzie, Millar. Myers, Ngata, Parata. Pavne, Poland, Hangihiroa, Reed. T. W. Rhodes, Robertson, Russell, Seddon, Sidey, It., W. Smith, J. C. Thompson, Ward, Witty. There was no demonstration on the announcement of the result. The Ad-dress-in-Reply motion was at once carried, and on Mr Hamm's applications the committee on the Payne business were granted an extension of time in which to report to (be House. The Prime Minister then moved that the House adjourn till Thursday. THE SESSION ENDS. VIGOROUS DEBATE. The prorogation of Parliament was proposed by the Prime Minister on Thursday. A vigorous protest was made by the Leader of the Opposition (o (be suggestion that ibis action should be taken before the promised reconstruction of the Cabinet bad been effected, and the new Ministry bad presented ilself to the House. Ho declared that the Government party had secured a majority only by the Prime Minister’s pledge that the present Ministry would resign. At 5.30 p.m. the Prime Minister said (hat ho desired to move that the House should adjourn. The business on the order paper was completed. Mr Massey ; I would like to ask the right hon. gentleman what is intended. When will he ask (be House to meet again—this afternoon, to-morrow morning, or when ? The Prime Minister said he intended to ask the Governor to prorogue Parliaincnt from now for a month, and then in the ordinary way till June. Mr Massey ; Then you arc now proposing prorogation.—• Sir Joseph Ward rented,