IN PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1225, 6 September 1911, Page 5

IN PARLIAMENT.

DAILY SUMMARY. MR. FOWLDS'S RESIGNATION. ■One event overshadowed tho whole Parliamentary situation yesterday. Very quietly, tho Primo Minister rose in h« pla» during tho afternoon and stated that to Hon. George Fowlds had «*f portfolios and retired from the «»'«"• The resignation had been communicated to Ju Excellency the Governor amLaccepted by him. To this announcement the Pime Minister merely added an expression of personal friendliness and sat down. 'The House was surprised into silence, for such a piece of news was utterly unacted. No private member, except p C haps one o« two personal ha I been forewarned. It seemed as if members could hardly bolieve their ears. Then Mr. Fowlds made his explanation, and members gradually emerged from their dazed condition. Tho exMinistor held a sheaf of typed manuscript in his hand, and read from it m rather loud ringing tones. The speecn may have been composed with a special view to its effect outside the House, for it was offensive, in turn, to all sections upon tho benches around him. First, those on the Government side whose votes ' caused his defeat on the "Governor-m-Council" clauses of the hapless TownPlanning Bill were rebuked. Their line of conduct seemed to him to show that there is not enough party loyalty to enable the Ministry to carry on with dignity and self-respect. But apart from that he wanted to get out of the Government in order to have more freedom. Ho wanted to preach "a new evangel," which, fts a Cabinet Minister, he. could not preach. Unrest 'and dissatisfaction were abroad in the land, and he hoped-for the arising of a new party, raoro advanced and democratic than that now in power. ■' .There was,a little applause at this from Borne of'the discontented members among the Government following. Some, also comforted, themselves with audible expressions of approval when Mr. Fowlds asserted that, the Opposition was "not a political factor." This . pronouncement was confessedly put forth to show that it would be unfair to say that he was deMrting ii sinking ship. Yct'that is jtist the sort of remark which' members, especially on tho Government side, were very soon making when they talked tho niattcr over in the lobbies. 'Mr. Fowlds ended his speech with a Tβfereuce to tho po'ssibility of his taking office sonie day in a really .democratic Ministry—and again tho applause feemed to indicate the disunited character of the Government, following. Throughout the speech the\3pposition were. just, as silent as the members of-the-Ministry.. When he had made his speech, Mr. Fpwlds walked out, and the House proceeded with- other .business. He did not reappear in tho Chamber until-Into in ihe c%-ening. Even then he only stayed, a , minute or two. Ho has not yet select,ed another bench and desk. ■ ■ . A noticeable incideni of tho afternoon ,was tho realing by Mr. Russell of the reir.arkable statement' about immigration, ■which, according to. tho "Westminster 'Gazette," was issued iiy\the New Zealand High Commissioner, and which was reprinted with editorial comment in yesterday's Dominion. The Prime Minister declined to'believe that the High Commissioner was responsible for , statements so contrary to the limited immigration policy of the Dominion. He concluded by'ascribing the whole : matter., to journalistic critics "regardless of even the semblance of accuracy." ' .The presentation of the North Auckland Railway Commission's report; which favours the western route, was the signal for a discussion on rather familiar lines. The Government as mine owner and coal dealer was severely criticised during the Committee stage of the Hon. R. Jl'Kenzie's Coal Mines Amendment Bill. The Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Bill passed through Committee without amendment, but not without further protests from local and other ;memfcris. ■