VOTING RIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 112, 4 February 1933, Page 12

VOTING RIGHTS

Farmers and Exchange ■ ■■ A ruling that farmer members of the House of Representatives who might be directly affected by the passage of the Banks Indemnity (Exchange) Bill were fully entitled to vote on the measure, was given by Mr. Speaker yesterday morning when the question was raised by Mr. F. Langstone (Lab., Waimarino). Mr. Langstonc drew attention to Standing Order 221, which reads: “No member shall be entitled to vote upon any question in which he has a direct pecuniary interest, either in the House or committee, and the vote of any member so interested shall be disallowed.” He said there were certain Government members affected directly by the Bill in their capacity as directors of dairy companies, and they stood to make personal gains as a result of the Bill being passed. The Hon. A. D. McLeod (Govt., Wairarapa), asked whether, if this argument were taken further, anyone affected by interest reductions would not be debarred from voting.

Mr. J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) said the Minister of Lands and the member for Wairarapa were directly affected as they would receive large benefits from the higher exchange, and it was questionable whether they were entitled to vote. There were about 40 farmer members in the House who stood to benefit from the increased exchange rates.

.Mr Speaker said he would have no difficulty in giving a ruling, adding, after he had quoted rulings given in the British House of Commons dealing with similar points, that’all members were entitled to vote.