TESTING THE POSITION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 177, 30 June 1925, Page 5

TESTING THE POSITION.

LABOUR AMENDMENT. DEFEATED IN PARLIAMENT. Per Preeo Association. WELLINGTON. June 29. When the Imprest Supply Bill, No 1, was introduced in the House of Representatives this evening by Governor-General's message, Mr Savage (Labour) moved as an amendment to the formal question submitting the Bill to the House: “That tho House has no confidence in the administration of the Government.’’ He said be did not propose to advance a thousand and one reasons why they should have no confidence in the Government, but be desired to test the position at the earliest possible moment. In these days of “courtships and possible marriages’’ they were somewhat at sea. and would like to know where they stood. The country would also like to know, lie therefore proposed to submit the question to the House. Mr Howard even more briefly seconded the amendment.

Mr Wilfortl said that, anticipating that such an amendment would be moved, lie had committed his reply to writing. At the present time the Opposition Party, led by him, and the Government were in process of negotiation to see if the threeparty system could he eliminated. _ Until these negotiations were complete it was impossible to say what the result would he, and his party could not vote with the Government on a no-confidence motion, nor could they vote for any amendment moved bv the extreme Labour Party. lie therefore proposed to adopt the proccoding recently adopted in Britain, and vote, with neither. Mr Holland contented himself with quoting a cynical statement by Disraeli in reference to the anomalous t osition of the middle party, and amidst the laughter of his own followers, sarcastically applied the reference to the Liberal Opposition. On a division the. amendment was defeated by 36 to 17, the Liberals walking out of the chamber. Tho Bill then went into Committee of Supply.