GOVERNMENT DEFEAT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 400, 18 May 1922, Page 6

GOVERNMENT DEFEAT.

RESIGNATION POSSIBLE.

EXCITEMENT IN POLITICAL CLUBS. LONDON, May 16. The unexpected defeat of the Government by lfal to 148 on the question of whether teachers should contribute to their pensions caused some excitement in the lobbies and political clubs. The Hon. H. A. L. Fisher's (president, Board of Education) resignation is expected. The resignation of the Government is unlikely, though it is possible, as the defeat; has arisen from the effort to give effect to the report of the Geddes Committee. During the debate on the second reading of the Teachers' Superannuation Bill, the National Union of Teachers, which has considerable voting power in the House of Commons, proved unexpectedly active. There was so much lobbying that, the Government, scenting danger, issued a "three line" whip for the debate, which ordinarily would not attract fifty members. The Bill proposed that teachers should contribute 5 per cent, of their salaries towards the pension, thus saving £2.300,000. annually. Mr Fisher argued on the necessity of economy. He showed that salaries for teachers had increased 150 per cent, in live years and their pensions had been trebled. Several Labour members' and other opponents then claimed that a bargain had been made with the teachers and any reduction made was a breach of the, honour of the House of Commons, which had agreed to the bargain.

Messrs Fisher and Chamberlain denied that any bargain was made when the teachers' salaries were fixed by the Burnham Committee. The excitement increased when Lord Robert Cecil moved the adjournment. Mr Chamberlain refused to accept the motion. It was now evident thai, opposition to the Government proposal was gathering strength and that the "Die Hards," Coalition Liberals, and a number of Conservatives would be allied with the Labour members on the question of adjournment. There was a sensation when Sir W. Joynson Hicks and Major E. Gray (Conservatives), the tellers, returned from Ihe lobby and took up their position on the right of the table, with the Government whips on their left. There rose a mighty cheer from the. opposition and loud shouts of "Resign !" when Sir VY. Joynson Hicks read the figures, showing the Government in a minority of three. Mr Chamberlain, who was greeted with cries of "Get out your election addresses!" immediately moved the adjournment of the House.

Cabinet will hold a meeting to-morrow to decide what action the Government will take.

The general impression is that the Government blundered in allowing a division to be taken two hours before the time mentioned in their "three line" whip. It is also considered that Mr Fisher is unpopular with the Conservatives and that he is an unconvincing debater. Nevertheless, there are shrewd politicians who think Mr Chamberlain purposely risked defeat, as he can now fairly claim that ihe'Government is doing its best to economise, but that a combination of opposition forces obedient to the pressure of the teachers' votes thwarted its efforts. Moreover, Mr Lloyd George may take the double event defeat in the Commons and his set-back at Genoa, owing to America's refusal to attend The Hague Conference, as the occasion for retirement and the search of the rest he badlv needs—A. and N.Z. cable.