EMPIRE PARLIAMENTARIANS

Evening Star, Issue 21966, 28 February 1935, Page 17

EMPIRE PARLIAMENTARIANS

H.Z. DELEGATES TO CONFERENCE MR BODKIN A MEMBER AGGRIEVED INDEPENDENTS [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, February 27. Selection of the New Zealand delegation to the Empire Parliamentary Association’s conference, opening in London in July, was completed at a meeting of members of the Lower House during the dinner adjournment by the appointment of Mr W. A. Bodkin, Otago Central, to represent members in general, > the Opposition having exercised its privilege under the terms of the invitation by selecting Mr P. Fraser, while the Government members at their own gathering in the morning appointed Mr H. G. Dickie (Patca), the runner-up having been 1 Mr Bodkin. The Upper House delegate is the Hon M. Fagan, West Coast. The delegation leaves the dominion on May 24. It is reported that there is a strong feeling of resentment among a section pf members, particularly those from the cross benches, at a development during the final selection of the member not to directly represent any party. Four were nominated, all being members of the Coalition—Mr Kyle (Government .Whip,), Mr Harris, Mr Bodkin, and Mr Lye. The latter withdrew, and, a ballot' resulted in Mr Bodkin’s, election. The meeting had its tense moments after one Coalition member bad mentioned that it had, been decided at the party caucus to support Mr Bodkin. There was a protest against this, general selection being made a party matter, and it is unlikely that the last has. been heard ot it, as such procedure made it impossible for any member of the fairly large Independent group to enjoy., even a slender chance of securing this somewhat coveted privilege.