CONTROL OF SAMOA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12090, 26 June 1920, Page 5

CONTROL OF SAMOA.

Uniter] Pre'is Association,—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

WELLINGTON, Last Night

Two No-confidence motions were tabled to-day, the first by Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Leader of the Opposition, Avhose proposed amendment to the Address-in-Reply follows the usual precedent, declaring that the Government has not the confidence of the House. Mr Statham, Dunedin, emphasised bis independence of his former friends by giving notice of an amendment that his Excellency’s advisers should be elected by this House, or at least by the members of the dominant party in the House. There Was no sign of a similar motion from the Labour benches, but it probably will arrive later. Hon. J. A. Hanan, though not moving a no-confidence motion, put a question having bearing on it. He asked the Premier on what grounds does the Government justify continuing the crude, antiquated, indefensible first-past-the-post method of election, which opens the door to injustice and inequality, enabling a minority to defeat the electoial majority. . , _ WESTPORT CHEQUE ASTRAY. In asking the Minister in charge of the Public Trust Office not to pay Public Trust money by open cheque, Mr H. E. Holland stated in the House that a cheque for £3445. on behalf of the O’Connor trust,'of which he was a trustee, was recently paid by the Public Trust Office through the post office, and one of the trustees was able to cash the cheque over the counter, with the result, added Mr Holland, that both the trustee qnd £IOOO of the money are missing. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister in charge of the Trust Office, promised to consider the suggestion and take such steps to prevent anything of the kind occurring m futuie. Dr, Thacker: “What about the thousand that’s gone?” ML Coates: “I’m very sorry foi that.” (Laughter.)