First Test of Strength

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 5 October 1933, Page 6

First Test of Strength

VOTING ON HIGH EXCHANGE Government Policy Endorsed DEFEAT OF NO-CONFIDENCE MOVE. FURTHER AMENDMENT SOUGHT.

By a margin of 13 votes the Government survived in the House of Representatives last evening the amendment aiming at a return to a free exchange moved by Mr R. A. Wright, Independent member for Wellington Suburbs. Division bells rang for the first time this session when a prior vote was taken on the no-confidence amendment moved by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr H. E. Holland, which was defeated hy 46 votes to 27.

Mr Wright’s amendment was rejected by 43 votes to 30. Those who voted with him, in addition to the members of the Labour Party, were Messrs H. Atmore (Lid., Nelson) A. Harris (Co., Waitemata), D. .McDougall (Co., Mataura), A. J. Stallworthy (Ind., Eden), W. A. Veitcli (Co., Wanganui), C. A. Wilkinson (Ind. Egmont), Captain H. M. Rushworth (0.P., Bay of Islands). Members who voted for the retention of Mr Holland’s no-confidence amendment included Messrs McDougall, Atmore, Stallworthy, Wilkinson and Captain Rush-worth. Some surprise was expressed at Mr McDougall’s action m voting against the Government on a no-confidence issue, and the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, indicated after the conclusion of the sitting that Mr McDougall knew what the consequence of his action must be. Immediately the two divisions had been disposed of Mr P. Fraser, Labour member for "Wellington Central,, moved a further amendment: “That in view of nation-wide dissatisfaction with the present administration Parliament should be dissolved and a general elern tion called ■vvi'thont/ delay. This amendment, which was greeted by Government laughter, was still being debated when the House adjourned until to-day.