UPPER HOUSE DEFEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19255, 18 February 1926, Page 10

UPPER HOUSE DEFEAT.

MR. BANG'S GOVERNMENT. adverse: labour votes. REVOLT IN PARTY RANKS. By Teletrraph— Press Association—Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. end N.Z. SYDNEY. Feb. 37. In the Legislative Council an amendment moved by a Nationalist member to the Workmen's Compensation Act was carried, the Government being defeated by four votes. Two Labour members voted against the Government. The clause in the bill upon which the Government was defeated referred to insuring workers. Sir Allen Taylor moved that employers and firms be permitted to continue the present methods of insuring their employees. Mr. A. C. Willis, vice-president of the Executive Council, announced that he was not prepared to accept the amendment, which, after considerable debate, was accepted by the Council by 37 votes to 33.

At a meeting of the Labour members of tho Legislative Council Mr. Willis announced that the voto on tho Abolition Bill would be postponed until nest week. Notwithstanding the fact that over 40 members of tho party had been requested in a circular issued by Mr. Willis to attend the meeting, only 27 put in an appearance. Mr. Willis announced that no pairs would be allowed while the Abolition Bill was under consideration. It is now generally admitted in political Labour circles that the bill is certain to he rejected when it comes to the vote. Several of the Labour members of the Council are now in revolt against the manner in which they are being compelled to attend Parliament during the hottest, months of the summer. Another grievance i<i that many members have to como from long distances at considerable personal expense. Labour aldermen at a meeting of the City Council objected to the letting of the Town Hall to-morrow • night for a monster public meeting of protest against the abolition of the Legislative Council. Finally permission was given, provided that the petition to the King be not signed at the meeting.