SECOND BALLOT REPEAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 36

SECOND BALLOT REPEAL.

I CESSION IX PARLIAMENT. L PROMISED THIS SESSION. :oit Opb Owk Coheespondent.) WELLINGTON, October 24. n will the Bill providing fur the of the second ballot be brought was a question put to the Prime ;r by the Leader of the Opposition ternoon. “We know,” Sir Joseph stated, “ that a Bill of two clauses : with the matter has been preSlfe'i - Pi’ime Minister ; Have you seen it ? J. G. Ward : No, but everybody dt, and that no substitute for the ballot is provided. If this is sc r from the point of view of’ party y can be gained by keeping the e back- There can be no reason * delay.. There is a great deal of on the matter from the North o Bluff. lam sure that the Prime ir cannot deny that a short Bill oi auses has been prepared. Hon. E. M. B. Fisher : It is absoincorrect —absolutely. J. G. Ward : Perhaps the hon. aan does not know as'much as 1 do. Fisher : I have the Bill. J. G. Ward :. Oh! That is eomeYou cannot deny that a Bill sucii iave described has been prepared. Guthrie raised the question of sr the Leader of the Opposition, in a question without notice, was ento waste time in this way. Speaker ruled that members in asklestions must be concise in their ents. I. G. Ward said he was not asking estion from any fastidious desire to ; information. The Prime Minister ready stated that the Second Ballot is to* be repealed, and as the session jproaching its close he thought it be stated when the measure was down. He had been informed that le had said was correct. Prime Minister said he had no obto answering any question of an character that might be asked by iader of the Opposition or by any nember. but he would like to point at a great many of these questions rivolous and not in any way urgent, ir, hear), and he did not think they be asked without notice. So far as estion was concerned lie would like that the Leader of the Opposition lOssess his soul in patience. He had n a previous occasion that a Bill be introduced this session to pro>r the abolition of tbe second ballot, 3 could only repeat now that it be introduced. Sir J. G. Ward had uxther, and said that there was a ith two clauses. Well, if such a id been prepared he (Mr Massey) it seen it, and he thought he would een it if it had been prepared. J. G. Ward : You heard your colsay he had the Bill. Fisher : Not the Bill you menMassey : I heard him say so. Mr , however, as a private member two igo introduced a Bill for the abolithe second ballot, and that is prothe Bill referred to. Isitt : Too thin. He is speaking of Massey said he was convinced that jple of the country were thoroughly the operation of the Second Ballot The people were almost unanimous, ring its repeal, and an opportunity be "given to the House this session saling the Act. f. G. Ward : I am satisfied that the *of this country are not in favour ority representation.