BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1923, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

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GOVERNMENT’S DEFEAT. LABOUR DELIGHTED. PANDEMONII M REIGNS. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, April 11. Ministerial slackness has created an extremely awkward situatftm for the Government, which Hie Opposition arc exploiting to the full. Tne defeat in the division was not expected. By its vote, the House retimed to go into committee-of-supply on the ci'il service estimates, so a way out of the muddle ’oceanic essential. At first it was anticipated that it would be necessary to start a nexv session t» deal " ith the civil service estimates. ” The Speaker was consulted, and dceided to accept a motion on that he leave the chair in order that the whole house may go into coinmittcc-of-supplv. This removes the necessity for a new session, and "ill right an unfortunate situation.

The defeat was due to the fact that the Government Whip said that a division was expected at nine-thirty, whereas it was actually it few minutes?: earlier. While the division xvas going on. there was no indication of a crisis but the manner in which the Labour Bene lies suddenly filled tip showed that there had been an attempt to catch the Government napping; When a clerk at the table handed the Labour Whip a slip bearing the figures for the division, a burst ot cheers arose from the Opposition benches, developing into a pandemonium of shouting, the Labourites scattering order papers in all directions. Colonel Wedgwood, waving his handkerchief. led round after round of checi mg.

Mr L'.iiisbury was heard shouting tu the direction of the Government front Bench: “You'll soon be on tlie dole!” When order was partially restore!, Mr Ramsay MacDonald (Labour Leader) asked what the Government Pre-

posed. After a hasty conference, Mr Neville Chamberlain, the senior mentlter of the Government present, without comment moved the adjournment. Mr Bomir Law was not present. Mr Pringle, one of the House’s recognised humorists, could nut resist poking fun at the Government. He suggested that tlie motion must he fatal to the Government's existence. It was beyond ingenuity of ally Parliamentarian to frame a motion would reverse the House's decision during a current session. He asked what sense "as there- in meeting to-morrow [,,[■ an academic discussion, xxHilo “iN'-e transient miserable phantoms occupied the Treasury Bench (cheers) and laughter.

Nlr Pi ingle, said he was glad that the National Liberals had been xvith the Oppo-ilioii in bringing an end to this thoroughly inept, futile, and incompetent administration. He then moved that the House adjourn until Thursday.

The Labour Btirty did not support this Diction, which was negatived with-

out a division. The House then rose. The lobby was highly excited. It is generally thought that the incident will strengthen the movement for a rapprochement- with Air Austin ( haitihailain, and other Unionist exMinixiers. thus strengthening the GovorunuMit.