SECOND BALLOT BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13869, 1 October 1908, Page 5

SECOND BALLOT BILL.

COUNCIL AND HOUSE. CONFERENCE TO RE HELD. APPOINTMENT OF MANAGERS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PIIESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. In the House, of Representatives this evening a message from the Legislative Council Was received, stating that the Council insisted upon its amendments in the Second Ballot Bill on the ground that to treat the 500 majority as the absolute majority was inconsistent with the principle of the Bill, and that the amendment made in the " gag" clause was necessary. Sir Joseph Ward moved, " That a conference be requested, and that Sir W. J. Steward, Mr. Hornsby, and himself bo the managers on behalf of that House." Mr; Maesey said that ■•■ll the managers named were from on* side of the House, and the Prime Minister was doing something grossly unfair. ("Oh! oh!") Sir Joseph Ward: lam not going to letyon get to windward of me. Mr. Massey, continuing, said the House would, of course, agree to the motion. It always did agree to anything the Prime Minister proposed, but ho did nob remember a single conference at which both sides 'of the House were not represented. The course adopted by the Prime Minister was improper and unconstitutional. Sir Joseph Ward, replying, said' the indignation of Mr. Massey was only assumed, but it was well known that every member of the Opposition party had moved heaven and earth to kill the Bill. If there was one member amongst the three managers who disagreed with the other two the conference would instantly be at an end, and ho would bo doing a gross injustice to the House if he asked that one of the managers should be selected from amongst the opponents of the Bill. The motion was carried by 44 votes to 12.