POLITICAL CRISIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 45, 22 January 1926, Page 8

POLITICAL CRISIS

SECOND EDITION

UPPER HOUSE ABOLITION.

NEW SOUTH WALES SENSATION.

Received January 22, 12,55 p.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 22. Among othor controversial points raised in connection with tho abolition of the Legislative Council was how far the Labour platform pledge in favour of abolition bound the Roman Catholic members of tho Upper House. Archbishop Kelly, in a signed communication to the press, says he lias beqn asked to express an opinion on abolition, and ladds: “We say that if tho law is the dictate of reason and sue ken by authority for tho common go< d, wo must regard the second chamber as indispensable for the proper enactment of the law. Our experience to dato confirms this. An attempt to amputato one arm of tho constitution is not warranted by the spocial mandate of tho people, and is an unjustifiable breach of trust. Wo speak independently of all parties.”—Press Association. ' MEMBER EJECTED. REFUSAL TO WITHDRAW EXPRESSION. SYDNEY, Jan. 14. Mr A. E. V. Reid, one of tho Nationalist members for North Sydney, was ejected from tho Legislative Assembly this afternoon when he described the 25 appointees to the Upper House as “mental imbeciles,” and refused to withdraw. Mr Reid had addressed tlie House on tho amendments to tho 44-Hours •Bill, and many times had been called to order by the Speaker for wandering away from tho subject. He had referred to the Upper House, and when told by the Speaker that tho recent appointments did not come within tho scope of liis address, ho drew roars of laughter when ho pleaded that he should be allowed to go on because the bill was going to tho Upper House. Then lio described the 25 as “mental imbeciles,” whereon the Speaker asked him to withdraw, reminding him that it was the practice of members to respect those in the other Chamber. He lefused to withdraw, but after earnest entreaties from other Nationalists he said: “Well, I withdraw, but I believe it just the same!” When Mr Reid was urged to withdraw unconditionally ho burst out: “Well, I won’t withdraw at all. I’ll stick to it!” The Sergeant-at-Arms was' then called by the Speaker and, taking Mr Reid by the arm, removed him from the Chamber. Mr Reid also referred to Walsh, Johnson and Grant, declaring that if the Government had to go to such men for advice they, should resign their positions. When lip mentioned Mr Frank Burke’s association with Donald Grant, Mr Burke declared that ho would sooner shake hands with Donald Grant than with Mr Reid.