UNEXPECTED DEFEAT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 679, 12 April 1923, Page 5

UNEXPECTED DEFEAT.

m TURKEY.

GOVERNMENT IN MINORITY

SNAP DIVISION IN COMMONS

Ry E»eclvic Tcli'jcranli-CoDvriirht. LONDON, April 11. Ministerial slackness has treated an extremely awkward situation lor the Clovornment, which the Opposition is exploiting to 'lie full. The defeat of the Government on a- .simp division by 145 to 13b was utterly, unexpected. By its vote the i louse refused to go into Committee of Supply on the Civil .Service Estimates, so a way out of the muddle is essential. At first, it was thought, it would be necessary to start a new session to deal with Civil Service listimales, but the Speaker, when consulted, decided to accept a motion on Thursday that he leave the (hair anil order the whole House to go into Committee of Supply. This removes the necessity for a new session ami will right an unfortunate situation.

By Eicclvic TclotrniDh—CoDvrifilit. LONDON, April 11. Ministerial slackness has created an extremely awkward situation lor the Governnient, which the Opposition is exploiting to the hill. The (ideal of the Govermucm on a snap division by 115 lo 138 was utterly unexpected. By iis voi r the House refused to go into Committee of Supply on the Civil Service Estimates, so a way out of the muddle is essential. At lirst, it was thought it would bo necessary to start a now session to deal with Civil Service Estimates, but the Speaker, when consulted, decided to accept a motion on Thursday that he leave the Chair and order the whole House to go into Committee of Supply, This removes the necessity for a new session and will right an unfortunate situation. 'i he defeat was due to the fact that the Government whip said a division was expected at 9.30, whereas it actually came a lew minutes earlier. While the division was going on, there was- no indication of a crisis, but the manner in which the Lahour benches suddenly tilled up showed .there had been an attempt to catch the Government napping. When the clerk at the table handed the Labour whip a slip bearing the figures of the division, a burst of cheers arose from the Opposition benches, developing into pandemonium, shouting Labourites scattering order papers in all directions. Colonel J. Wedgwood. Labour member for Nowcastle-on-Tyne. waving a handkerchief, led round alter round of cheering, and Mr Lausbury (How and Bromley), shouted in Hie direction oi the Government front bench: ‘‘You’ll soon bo on a dole!” When order was partially restored, Mr Ramsay McDonald asked what the Government proposed to do. After a hasty conference, Air Neville Chamberlain, the senior member of the Government, without comment, moved the adjournment. Air Bomir Law was not present. Mr Pringle (Labour), one of the House’s recognised humourists, could not resist poking fun at the Government. He suggested that the motion must be fatal to the Government’s existence, as it was beyond the ingenuity of any Parliamentarian to frame a motion which would reverse the House’s decision during the current session. He asked what sense there was in meeting to-morrow for academic discussion, while “those transient, miserable phantoms”- occupied (he Treasury bench? (Cheers and laughter), Mr Pringle said ho was glad the National Liberals had been with the Opposition in bringing an end to this thoroughly inept, futile and incompetent admisistration. lie moved that the House adjourn until Thursday. The Labour Parly did not support the motion, which was negatived without division, and the House rose. The lobby was highly excited. It is generally thought the incident will strengthen the movement for a rapprochement with Air Austen Chamberlain and other Unionist ex-Ministers, thus strengthcuing the Government.—A. and N.Z. cable.

i he defeat was due lo the fact that the Government whip said a division was expected at 9.30, whereas it actually came a tew minutes earlier. While the division was going on. there was' no indication of a crisis, but the manner in which the Labour benches suddenly filled up showed there had been an attempt to catch ihe Government napping. When the clerk at the table handed the Labour whip it slip bearing the figures of the division, a burst of cheers arose from the Opposition benches, developing' into pandemonium, shouting Labourites scattering order papers in all directions. Colonel J. C. Wedgwood. Labour member for Newcastle-on-Tyne, waving a handkerchief, led round after round of cheering, and Mr Lansbury (Bow ami Bromley), shouted in the direction of the GevQi-nment front bench; "You'll soon be on a dole !"

When order was partially restored. Mr Ramsay .McDonald asked what the Government proposed to do. After a hasty conference. Mr Neville Chamberlain, the senior member of the Government, without comment, moved ihe adjournment. Mr Honor Law was not present.

OBTAINED BY AMERICANS

CONSTANTINOPLE, April 11

Tlio National Assembly lias approved of the acceptance of the ( better scheme. The agreement provides for (lie employnieni of Turkish labour only. The Premier declared that tin' project would draw Turkey and America into closer friendship.—A. and N.Z. cable.

NEW YORK, April 1]

The New York World's Washington correspondent says the Angora Assembly's ratification of tho American Chester concession in Turkey, while not quite a sur•prise in official circles here, nevertheless is considered sudden. General Coo'.hals, who built (he Panama Canal, and i- president of the Chester linn, hurried to consult with the Slate Department, whose experts freely admit the responsibility which the concession puts upon the I'niied States. The United States is now compelled to participate in problems growing out of the Turkish question and Par Eastern mandates. The feeling is thai Angora acted quickly because she desire- American capital in Turkey. The latter will now probably use the United Stale.- against P.riiaiu end Prance in the Mosul questions and other Par Pastern problems.—A. and N.Z. cable.