THE FIRST SKIRMISH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 15

THE FIRST SKIRMISH.

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN.

TWO NOMINATIONS MADE.

CONFIDENCE AT STAKE.

MR. FORBES TAKES SERIOUS VIEW.

[Br TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REFOItTER.]

WELLINGTON, Friday

Divided betweon feelings of party loyalty and personal ambition, Mr. J. A. Macpherson (Government member for Oamaru), sat silent in tho House for an hour this evening while his claims for tho position of Chairman of Committees were urged against those of tho official Government nomination of Mr. W. A. Bodkin.

It was contended by Reform speakers that Mr. Macpherson was the better fitted for tho post and his Parliamentary experience was longer, while it was staled that Mr. Bodkin's actions while relieving the former chairman last session did not encourage the hope that ho would preside in an impartial manner. However, when the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, definitely stated a second time that he regarded tho nomination of Mr. Macpherson as a no-confidence amendment, Mr. Macpherson withdrew. Mr. Bodkin was proposed by Mr. G. C. Munns, Senior Government Whip, and seconded by Mr. E. F. Healy, Junior Whip. Tho vacancy arose through the elevation of Mr. S. G. Smith to tho Cabinet,

" I take it that this House has the legitimate right to elect its own Chairman of Committees and also its own Speaker," said Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Reform—Riccar ton), who rose to nominate Mr. Macpherson. " Mr. Macpherson is an old and very experienced member of Parliament and, without going into the merits or demerits of the other gentleman nominated, I believe that the deliberations of this House, under the conductorship of Mr. Macpherson as would result in complete impartiality." Temperamental Qualities.

Mr. A. Harris (Reform—Waitemata) iseconded the nomination. " Mr. Macpherson is a very old and highly-respected member of the Government Party," he said. "He is temperamentally fitted for the position, and I presume to recommend the House to appoint a gentleman in whom I am sure everyone will have the greatest confidence. Mr. Macpherson's old and honourable association with Parliament entitles him to preferment." "I do not know whether the gentleman who moved tho amendment did so on behalf of his party or not," the Prime Minister said, -" but it is a matter of Government business, and unless the Government can control the election ot officers of the House that is taken as an indication that the Government docs not possess tho confidence of the House. 1 would just like to make that ciear. (Cries of No?). It is not a question of the respective merits of the two gentlemen It is just as well to understand what the effect of it is. The nomination of Mr. Bodkin as Chairman of Committees is a Government nomination. Mr. Harris: Why did you not nominate him ? Tho Prime Minister: Any other nomination will bo takeii as hostile. Tho Leader of the Opposition, the Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates, said lie was amazed at the statement of tho Primo Minister. "I hardly thought he would take a. narrow view at this early stage of the session," he said. "After all, the lion, gentleman requires the smooth working ot the business of the House, and he desires to get his business through. We liavo had experience of different chairmen in this House. Well, Mr. Bodkin is a veiy estimable gentleman. Wo have had experience of him in the chair. This time, the House is not satisfied that lie will cive judicial and impartial consideration to the claims bf those differing entirely from the desires of tho Government. I think that when tho Prime Minister makes this question a Government one, he takes a very, very short view-"- " Constitutional View."

The Prime Minister: A constitutional one. ** „ Mr. Coates: Pardon me, is it 1 lie added that there was a precedent in the Houses of Parliament in Australia for such action as had been taken. Tho House was entitled to a free hand in the election of its Chairman. Mr. Coates added that by allowing the House that privilege, the Government would contribute to tho smooth working of the session. As far as Mr. Bodkin is concerned, wo only know that his speeches of last session were by no means those of a gentleman who has a kindly feeling or any finer feeling and instinct to those opposed to him in politics," Mr. Coates said. "That is entirely his own business. He may take up what course he likes, and I have no complaint to make about it, but when it comes to the question of filling tho position, then every member of the House is entitled to vote for tho man lie thinks will fill that position." "It seems to rne that some explanation is due to the House for the situation that has arisen," said Mr. 11. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party. "We have tho Government putting forward its nomination for the position of Chairman of Committees, arid then we have the Government's nomination opposed by a member of the Government party. Apparently, notwithstanding that, everybody knew beforehand that tho second nomi nation would be taken by the Government as an indication of no-confidence." (Cries of "No.") "Everybody knew that, and I thought it had been made pretty clear. Voices: Rumour, rumour. Explanation Needed.

"It was common talk throughout tho building," Mr. Holland added. "What is puzzling ino is how it comes about that a member of the Government allows himself to be nominated by a member of tlie Opposition, knowing that his nomination is to be taken as a vote of no-con-fidcnco in tho party. I think nil explanation is required in regard to that. J think it goes without saying that tho Government must linvo control of these positions. If a Labour Government were on tho Treasury benches, then tho Government would put forward its nominations, and I take it it would consider it a vole of no-confidence if that were rejected, and tlio Reform Party would do exactly the same." Mr. Holland said lie did not think that tlio question was large enough or important enough to send Parliament to the country. (Laughter). The Leader of the Opposition had said that ho was going to give his co-operation and place th» country first, but he was now trying to steal a member of the Government. A Reform member: Don't bo jealous. Mr. Holland said that the question was an absurd ono upon which to displace tho Government and precipitate an election. " When wo have to make great changes, let us make them on fundamental principles, and not on small matters of this kind," lie said. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Reform —Thames) said that by his statement the Leader of the Labour Party had shown the House exactly where ho stood. I consider it perfectly childish for the Prime Minister to call it a no-confidence motion. It ,is notlur.g of the kind." Prime Minister's Attitude. Mr. Fraser: Has he done so ? " Yes, certainly. The Prime Minister said when the point was again put to him by Mr. Samuel." " Then I repeat that it is childish in the extreme," Mr. Samuel said..

" If these are not petty party tactics, I do not know what they are," declared Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour—Avon). " Tho Reform Party's action hardly fitted in with tho assurances of the Leader of the Opposition that ho wishes to _ assist tho Government in view of the difficult economic situation. At the same time, Mr. Sullivan said he was inclined to think the Prime Minister had gone too far in making the question a test of confidence, seeing that the nominees were both members of his own party. " The country will say "a plague on both of your houses" and j tho sooner tho Labour Party is in office the better," declared Mr. Sullivan, amid laughter. Tho member for Oamaru looks very innocent," said Mr. P. iraser (Labour Wellington Central), as lie scanned across tho floor of tho House at Mr. Macpherson. " The sands of time aro running fast, and ho will soon have to make up his mind. His allegiance to his party is at stake." Toss Up Suggested. Mr. R- McKcan (Labour— Wellington South) : Let tho two nominees toss up. Mr. F. Langstone (Labour-'Waim arino): They will want a double-header. (Laughter. ) Mr. Macpherson said ho had taken no active part in having his nomination inado. He had been approached by a large number of members from more than one side asking him if ho would seek the position. He understood there were to be several nominations for tho position and, in view of that, he had seen no reason why ho should not allow his name to go forward. Mr. Macpherson said he would like tho Prime Minister to state definitely whether the question was to bo one oE confidence in the Government. Personally it seemed to him in tho present situation that the question was not sufficiently important to bo made one of confidence. Mr. Fraser: Do you suggest that there were other members of the United Party willing to come forward? Mr. Macpherson: I am not prepared to answer that. However, I want to say that I am here to do my utmost for tho welfare of New Zealand, and I want an assuranco from the Prime Minister as to whether he has definitely decided to mako this a question of no-confidence. No Desire for Embarrassment.

"Undoubtedly," replied Mr. Forbes. "if a Government cannot control the election of tho officers of the House, a Government is not in a position to say it has the confidence of the House. While we are a minority party, we will not agree to adopt any other positon than has been adopted by Government parties in tho past. If the Government cannot carry this question, I no longer desire to occupy my present position." " Having heard that statement, I do not desire to embarrass the country in any way by incurring tho expense of a general election," said Mr. Macpherson. Mr. Coates: Who told you that? _ Mr. Macphcrson intimated his desire to liavo his nomination withdrawn, oxplaining also that ho had no feeling of antagonism toward Mr. Bodkin. Mr. Kylo added that as he did not want to embarrass Mr. Macpherson, he would, with tho consent of his seconder, withdraw tho nomination. The consent being given, the nomination of Mr. Macpherson was withdrawn, and Mr. Bodkin was elected to the position unopposed. In thanking tho House for the honour conferred on him, Mr. Bodkin said he would always endeavour to carry out tho duties of tho office fairly and impartially and to tho best of his ability. He felt also that ho could roly on tho support of members in tho discharge of his duties. POPULARISING RAILWAY. AUCKLAND SUBURBS. LOWER FARES ADVOCATED. [BY TELEGRAFH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday. Tho popularising of the Auckland suburban railway service was suggested by Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour—Manukau) in the House to-day, when he gave notice to ask the Minister of Railways whether consideration would be given to reducing fares to tho rate charged by motor transport companies, _ making workers' tickets available until 9 a.m., improving railway station arrangements and introducing a lighter railway system in order that a more frequent service might be established. RATING AMENDMENT. REPEALING. A SECTION. [BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday. As a lawyer by profession, Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Labour —Auckland Suburbs) studies the statutes with a critical eye and from time to time has suggested to the House of Representatives methods for the more effective operation of various enactments. In' the House to-day Mr. Mason introduced a Rating Amendment Bill, which seeks to repeal one section which Mr. Mason considers to have lost all meaning, if it ever had any. The existence of the section, he said, had beon the cause of litigation and trouble. The section provided that after a poll had been carried for rating on unimproved values a roll of ratable values should be provided by the Valuer-General. Actually, the practice of tho Valuer-General in pursuance of other Acts was to supply all local bodies with a roll setting out the capital value, the unimproved value and tho value of improvements, so that all tho information required under the section it was proposed to repeal was in any case provided. The bill was read a first time and set down for second reading on July 9.