CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17610, 28 October 1931, Page 10

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES

A NEW APPOINTMENT SHARP DISCUSSION IN HOUSE (Per Press Association.) - WELLINGTON, last, night. In the House of Representatives today the Speaker announced that he had .received the, resignation of Air. W. A. Bodkin from the '.office of [■lmirman. of committees. He added that he desired to express appreciation of Mr. ’Bodkin ’a . courtesy and help during Ids occupancy of the office. The Rt. Hon. G. IV s . Forbes endorsed the Speaker’s reference to Al-r. Bodkin, and said the latter had maintained the dignity of the position. He moved that Mr. ,'S. G. Smith be appointed chairman of committees. Mr. M. J. Savage (Lab., Auckland \Ves.t) said ho wondered what was the meaning of tiiis development. Was R another attempt to bring about a fair distribution of the loaves and fishes. It was evident that Air, Bodkin ha-1 been asked to resign, or to be made to feel that his resignation would be welcome in order that the balance might lie fairly draiyn between aspirants for the various positions. Wirepulling had been evident during the sitting of the in ter-party c, bmpiitt.ee! It had been, seen Since, ami he supposed .members vyould see,more of it. They had never had a greater show of humbug. Air. Savage said lie had, no objection to the nominee, but he had a great admiration , for the former occupant. .lie wished to enter an emphatic protest against the Prime Alin is tor ’,s action. “SUBJECTED TO PRESSURE” Mr. P. Fraser. (iwbor, Wollingtou Central), endorsing A,lr. Savage’s-pro-test, .said- that apparently the office, which Was the .prerogative of the House, was to bo made a thjng for party bargaining. The chairman ship of committees was not an office of the Government any more than wgs the Speakership, and once the position was filled for the session it ought not to lie placed-on the political bargaincounter; Air. I). G, .Sullivan (Labor, Aval}) suggested that Air. Bodkin wo.ujd win the admiration qf tjio House apej the oo,untry if he steadfastly refused to resign. ... , . -• ■ The Speaker pointed, out that Mr. Bodkin had actually resigned.. Air. Sullivan .said there was,a feeling in the minds of many members I hat .Mr. Bodkin had been subjected to pressure, , , •. • The Bender of .the, Opposition said ho thought an explanation from Air; Bodkin was due. Ho had remained silent, no doubt, through loyalty to his own party. There was up reason why a new chairman of committees should lie appointed for the; remaining 14 dayp of .the session. Air. Holland said that Mr. Smith could accept his assurance that if there was a .(Jivisioki on .the Prime 'A|inistev’H, nation it wquld not be directed against Mr. Smith, but against the principle involved. -

Air. Bodkin, said , that lnombprs \Vould puder,stand...tJmt, he .waif, .Sfonuiwhat diffident about taking .pfirb in the. discussion, i Before the. ,«pplition warn formed he lffid appprogcfijorj i tliy Prime Minister, , gild placed himself in Air. Forbes’ hands. He had assumed that the Coalition Government would be formed, ami would .elect- its own officers, 1 He believed his action had been unconstitutional, but as - lffi had placed himself in the Prime Alinistcr’.s hands, and as he understood Air. Fqrlies- had promised the position to Mr. Smith, he was bound to honor hjs undertaking. “CROCODILE TEARvS” Mr. J. S. Fletcher (lipl,, Grey ■Lynn') said he considered the proceeding was wholly irregular. Air. Bodkin had paid he-believed his action to bo unconstitutiqnal and the Prime Minister had taken advantage of this. Only a man like five Prime 'Minister would do so. AL. Fletcher said he had no doubt Mr. Smith would-again bo an excellent chpirman of committees, but the Prune Aljnistetds action, was. against the principles, of. Parliamentary procedure. Mr. Forbes said there , had- been a vojry fine .display pf crocodile tears. Ho explained - that, when asking Af r * Smith to relinquish his poytfoli.o, had Stated it was only right; that an ex-Alin jet or should.return to-the office h?i hgd -occupied prior to entering the Ministry*) Mr. Bodkin had expressed his willingness-, to leave the way opeit for that course to be followed should the occasion arise. . Every credit was due to Air. Bodkin for his. co-operation aAfl assistance. ■ The. Prime Minister eaid that if tliC Government were defeated on the election of. an officer of the House the vote would be one of no-confidence in the administration. ; ..The motion was carried; op a.divifiiqn by 34. votes to 14, qnd Air. Smith ■was elected to .the .|Asitio;.i. ..