"LOAVES AND FISHES"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 102, 27 October 1931, Page 11

"LOAVES AND FISHES"

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

MR. BODKIN RESIGNS

A LIVELY DEBATE

In tho [louse of .Itcj.roisoiil jit ivf-s | this afternoon, The Speaker announced t li«< <- lie had received the resignation of the member for Otago Central (Mr. W. A. Bodkin) from tho position of Chairman of Committees. In his letter Mr. Bodkin convoyed his thanks to Mr. Speaker and members of the House for the courtesy -which had been extended to him during his term of office. Sir Charles Statham said he desired to express his appreciation of the assistance he had at all times received from Mr. Bodkin. The Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. Or. W. Forbes) said he endorsed all that had been said about Mr. Bodkin's work. Ho moved: That Mr. S. G. Smith be appointed Chairman of Committees. "I wonder what all this is. about," said Mr. M. J. Savage (Lab., Auckland West). It seemed to him that it was another attempt to bring about a fair distribution of the loaves and fishes. One could not help endorsing whathad been said, but they wore also entitled to know why tho change was . being made. It was evident that Mr. Bodkin had been asked to resign, or had been told that his resignation would have been welcome in order that the. balance between tho two parties might be maintained. The move called forth the strongest condemnation from tho Labour Party. The bargaining had been carried on during the sitting ot the Inter-Party Committee, and they had seen it. continued since the Coalition had been formed. He had no-objection to the member who had been nominated for the position, and admiration tor the member who was vacating it, but tho House was entitled to some consideration. They had. never had a greater show of humbug. 1 ±cci strondy on the matter," said Mr. bav-,-igc, "and if I have spoken strongly 1 have no apology to offer." i

PARTY BARGAINING.

Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central), in supporting Mr. Savage's remarks, said that apparently an office which was the prerogative of the House was to be made a thing for party bargaining. The Chairmanship of Committees was not an offlco of the Government any more than was the Spcakerslnp. Onco the position was filled for the session it ought to be removed from party bargaining. What reason was there for putting the screw on Mr. Bodkin a few days before the end of the session in order to give way to Mr. Smith? It was dragging the prerogatives or the House into the mud. What reason was thero for a change at present? Was Mr. Bodkin not satisfactory? Mr. Fraser said he had heard no dissatisfaction with him expressed. Mr. Fraser said it was not necessary for Mr. Smith to occupy the Chair for tho few remaining days of the session. It would be more in keeping with his dignity if he failed to do so. They did not want such positions made the subject of party bargaining. , . Mr. 1). G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon) suggested that Mr. Bodkin would lend himself to the admiration of the country if he steadfastly refused to allow himself to be made tho subject of pressuro and to bo "bull-dozed." ■Mr. Speaker pointed out that Mr. Bodkin had resigned and that must be accepted. Mr. Sullivan: "There is a feeling that ho has been the subject of pressure." He took exception to the Government interfering in what was the business of tho House. The ■ country would resent what was being done, for it did not like trifling. Mr.- IT. G. Mason (Labour, Auckland Suburbs) said Mr. Smith's appointment was apparently being made to hold the balance between the Keform and United Parties. Perhaps they should look at the matter as another move to save the country. ■ • ; - ■ ' ■ ■ The Leader of .the Opposition (Mr. 11. E. Holland) said it was due to members that they should havo some explanation from Mr. Bodkin. The Labour Party was protesting only on principle. The Prime Minister should make a full explanation why tho change was being made. If the Government had been anxious to get on with the business it would not have made such a change a fortnight before the end of the- session. What was to be. gained by the alteration i'or a pci-iod of only I*l days? 1 Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Government, Central Otago) said that he was diffident about taking part in the discussion, but had been forced to do so by tho remarks of tho last speaker. Before tho Coalition Government had been formed he- had approached tho Prime Minister and had placed himself in Mr, Forties's hands. Ho had assumed at that time that a National Government, would be formed, and that it would elect its own officers. He believed that the course he himself had taken was unconstitutional, but he was certainly bound to honour his promise, and there were no heartburnings as. far as he was concerned. (Proceeding.)