PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 12001, 25 September 1903, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

THIS" DAY. [Feom Owe Paklumkstabt Repobtbb.] WANT OF CONFIDENCE MOTION. PROPOSED BY THE SENIOR M-H.R. FOR DUNEDIN. Mr Witheford gave notice to ask whether the Government -will strike out Standing Order 229, which prohibits publication of proceedings before select committees of the House. ■ ~ When the Imprest Supply Bill for £417,000 was called on, Mr Bedford rose to move as an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, as an indication, that the Ministry, as at present constituted, is not deserving of the support of this House. In moving the resolution, Mr Bedford said he|felt it was his duty to divide the House on the question. He knew that the country was not satisfied with the constitution of the Ministry. The Premier was flouting the wishes of members generally by not strengthening the Cabinet. He did hot wish to deal pith the resolution on personal grounds, but simply as a protest against the inefficiency and incompetency of the Ministry as at present constituted, and he wished to have an expression from the House. In a campaign speech at Dunedin he had condemned the Cabinet as constituted, and his remarks were received with hearty applause. In face of that it was his duty to ask the House to express an opinion on the subject. Mr Taylor seconded the amendment with a great deal of satisfaction. There was not a newspaper in the colony from Auckland to the Bluff on either side of politics that had not expressed the strongest dissatisfaction with the constitution of the Ministry. Possibly the Premier might try to treat the motion lightly because it had not Hie official endorsement of the Leader v of the Opposition. Mr Massey, in answer to the Premier, said the Opposition were hot supporting the amendment. Mr MXachiaa said he did not say that the Ministry were the best that could be got, but he was doubtful whether a better could be formed from the other side. He therefore opposed the amendment. Mr Duthie said the amendment had been proposed and seconded by the independent section of the House without consultation with the Opposition. Personalty he had no confidence whatever in the Government, and at all times would cast his vote against them. Messrs Massey and Aitken intimated that they would support the amendment, while Messrs Hander and another member of the Opposition announced that they would vote against it, as a protest against the action of an irresponsible member of the House moving a vote of want of confidence in the Government.. Mr R. M'Kenae warned the Premier to strengthen the Ministry during the recess, or the Government supporters would next session vote in favor of such a resolution. . ' During Mr Lewis’s speech on Mr Bedford’s amendment, he charged Mr Taylor with inspiring telegrams received by members from hysterical associations urging them to stand by the Standing Orders and resist the closure, yet when the question came to a vote Mr Taylor was, as usual after midnight, in bed. Mr Taylor (warmly): I don’t stop here playing cards till five o’clock in the morning. Mr Lewis said he admitted that during the small hours of the morning, when there was tedious repetition, he. took refuge in the card room in preference to going homo and neglecting the work of the country. Mr Taylor: One had better be in bed than gambling all night. . Mr Lewis said he was quite prepared to allow the clearest light of day to be thrown on his affairs. If his constituents wanted to know that he played cards for penny points it could go fofth to them. The Premier lectured Mr Bedford, a young member of the House, for presuming, because it was a presumption to tell the Opposition how their votes should be cast. Those who supported the amendment would be voting against the payment of salaries to Civil servants. —Eventually the amendment waa rejected.