IN ENEMY’S CAMP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24716, 19 September 1941, Page 4

IN ENEMY’S CAMP

MR KYLE VOTES AGAINST PARTY AMENDMENT AMUSEMENT IN THE HOUSE

(0.C.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 18. The unusual spectacle of a prominent member of the Opposition voting with the Government against an amendment moved from the Opposition benches occun-ed during the committee stages of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. The member concerned was Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition. Riccarlon). who voted against an amendment moved by Mr J. N. Massey (Opposition. Franklin). The amendment moved by Mr Massey was to replace one he had moved earlier, which had been ruled out of order. It was explained by Mr J. G. Coates (Opposition. Kaipara) that the amendment, which sought to reduce the Public Works Department's representation on the Rivers Control Council and thus increase relatively the local body representation, was not precisely what had been intended, but represented Hie only way open to Mr Massey to make clear a point of principle. Mr Kyle announced in the debate that he was opposed to the amendment. He said he hoped that the council, as proposed in the clause under discussion, would come, into being. Laughter rose on both sides of the House w'hen Mr Kyle walked to the “Ayes ” lobby with the Government members, and while voting he was cheered by Government members. There was further laughter when he returned to the chamber and had his hand warmly shaken by Mr A. S. Richards (Govt.. Roskill), the junior Government Whip. The amendment was defeated by 38 votes to 18.