NO-CONFIDENCE AMENDMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 June 1912, Page 5

NO-CONFIDENCE AMENDMENT

PRIME MINISTER MEETS IT AT DARGAVILLE. fur TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL TO THE STAR.] WELLINGTON, This Day. The Prime Minister, during the course of his North Auckland tour, found himself faced with a no-confidence amendment at an unexpectedly early stage of the political game. He was welcomed at Dargaville on Saturday by the Mayor and a large gathering. addressed a public meeting and explained the cardinal features of his platform. Dealing with closer settlement he elaborated his scheme for subdividing large estates at death, especially in case ;'of bachelors, whereby property can. be taken over at value and subdivided according to the limitations of the land laws and brought into absolute occupation. He claimed that it did not deprive inheritors of anything, but simply changed the form of the wealth they would inherit. This would make large areas available for those desiring land. Amid acclamation, a vote of thanks was moved for his statesmanlike address, also entire confidence in the Mackenzie Government, and that an opportunity be afforded it of giving effect to the good work set/ in motion. This was seconded with applause. Dr A. C. Harding, formerly Opposition member for Kaipara, and now a candidate for the seat, moved an amendment that Mr Mackenzie be congratulated upon his elevation to the Prime Ministership, but as he had not delivered a policy speech, and because Mr Lanrenson made certain observations in connection with native lands, a vote, of thanks - only be accorded. There was a considerable pause.

The chairman stated that the motion lapsed for want of a seconder. However, the candidate’s wife then jumped up and seconded it.

The Prime Minister said Mr Harding’s statements were inaccurate, as he delivered a policy speech at Opunake, and knowing what might bo said regarding his policy as applied to native lands, he had typed out that portion of the speech and carefully read it so that there should be no mistake as to their progressive intentions. Ho supplied copies of that to leading newspapers and the Press Association, and it appeared in the leading journals. He spoke as head of the Government and was responsible for its policy, therefore it was absurd to single out some other deliverance that might have been made and either, correctly or incorrectly, reported, he had made it clear that a practical and thorough Native lands policy, to widen opportunities for settlement of these lands, would bo carried out.

On the chairman calling for a show of hands, three were held up in favour of the amendment, while a forest of hands was displayed, amid cheers, for the vote of confidence in the Ministry.