BRIEF TRIUMPH

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 136, 6 December 1944, Page 4

BRIEF TRIUMPH

OPPOSITION VOTE

CLAUSE IN BILL

"Hurrah, hurrah! Resign!" shouted Opposition members in the House of | Representatives last night when the Chairman of Committees announced that a clause in a Government, measure I had been rejected by 31 votes to 30. I It-was a momentary triumph, because I the Prime Minister's vote had not been counted, and as the amendment meant a draw, the Chairman of Committees (Mr. R. McKeen) exercised his casting vote in its favour, and it was rein-! stated in the Statutes Amendment Bill which was being considered in the j committee stage. The contentious provision was clause 63, which empowers the Minister Of Works to purchase and sell electrical appliances and equipment. Opposition members had taken strong exception to what they considered was a further invasion of the State into the sphere of trading. They demanded a division, the voting being on purely party lines, and the result was: For retention of the clause 30, against 31. "The clause is struck out," announced the chairman, whose decision was greeted with uproarious laughter from Opposition members and cries of "Resign." The chairman proceeded to submit the next clause, which empowers the Minister of Works to install electrical equipment and appliances, to charge rent for their use, or accept payment by instalments. This was at once challenged by the Opposition, though its members did not rise to speak. "We just want a vote," remarked the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland). When the Prime Minister rose to speak, Mr. Holland genially inquired: "Is this the resignation? We are ready." "I think the Opposition should explain the reasons why they want the clause deleted," said Mr. Fraser. "I would like some information." Mr. Holland: While you pick up a couple more votes. The Prime Minister said he understood that the member for Wallace (Mr. Hamilton) had made a pairing arrangement with the Minister of Marine (Mr. O'Brien), but had voted, though he could not vouch for the' accuracy of this report. Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Chief Opposition Whip): It was unknown to the Whips. "Who've you sent for?" inquired Mr. W. S Goosman (National, Waikato). The Prime Minister laughingly retorted that he could get half a dozen. The Minister of Justice (Mr. Mason) proceeded to explain the meaning of the clause, to a running accompaniment of Opposition comment that they quite understood, and wanted another vote. MISTAKE BY TELLERS. A new element was introduced by the Chief Government Whip (Mr. D. W. Coleman), who stated that a mistake had been made by the tellers, who omitted to include the Prime Minister's vote. This, he added, would make the voting: For 31, against 31. The Chairman of Committees announced that he would exercise his casting vote and reinstate the clause. "No, the Government is as strong as we are," commented the Leader of the Opposition. Reinforcements had meanwhile been arriving, and when clause: 64, which empowers the Minister of Works to install electridal equipment in public or private buildings was put to a division it was adopted by 33 votes to 31. The final phase was an explanation of a misunderstanding whicfr caused the member for Wallace, (Mr. Hamilton) to vote against clause 63 under the belief that the Minister of Marine, with whom he had a private pairing arrangement, was in the House. - "Awfully dangerous for members to make private arrangements without consulting the Whips." commented the Prime Minister after showing that the Standing Orders did not permit the original division lists to be corrected in such circumstances.