UNITEDS’ VICTORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 531, 7 December 1928, Page 1

UNITEDS’ VICTORY

GOVERNMENT DEFEATED BY 50 VOTES TO 28

Mr. Coates’s Parting Speech DEFENCE OF REFORM’S REGIME (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, To-day. BEFORE crowded galleries the Reform Government was defeated on Sir Joseph Ward’s no-confidence motion by 50 votes to 28.

TJie division list was as follows: FOR (50) Armstrong McDougall Atmore McKcen Barnard Macpherson Black Makitanara Bodkin Martin Broadfoot Mason Carr Munns Chapman Munro Clinkard Murdoch Cobbe N grata P«relle O'Brien Donald Parry Fletcher Poison Forbes Ransom Fraser Rushworth Hawk* Savage Healy Semple Kogan Smith Holland, H. E. Stallworthy Howard Sullivan Jenkins Tavener Langs one Veitch Lye Ward McCombs Wilford McDonald Wilkinson AGAINST (28) IbmU Kyle Bitchener Link later Burnett Lysnar Campbell Macmillan Coates Massey Dickie Mash Field Pomare Hall Samuel Hampton Stewart Harris Sykes Henare Waite Holland, H- Williams Hunter Wright Jones Young The early proceedings were occupied with ordinary business, the Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates and the Hon. K. S. Williams laying on the table statements regarding their departments, Sir Joseph Ward agreeing, but stating that the papers could not be discussed, as the reports had not been circulated. The Hon. J. A. Young made a statement on mental hospitals. PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH Next came the speecji all awaited that of the Prime Minister. Air. Coates first of all denied allegation* of deliberate misrepresentation in connection with the £70,000,000 loan, quoting >aper reports. He expressed disappointment that in a speech during the debate Sir Joseph Ward had not revealed his policy so that the public could have an idea of what he was going to do. In criticising his policy, Mr. Coates said that £ 10.000.000 would not finish the railways, and three or four years was not sufficient time. Regarding the raising of loans, a full economic survey of the position should be made. New Zealand could not afford to spend money haphazard. Mr. S. G. Smith interjected: “That's what the electors said on November 14." The Prime Minister continued that railway construction should be carefully investigated when it was proposed that ne w lines would pay interest on costs. Mr. Coates mentioned the T*iupo line, and Mr. F. Langstone interjected: ' It will never pay axle grease.” Mr. Coates urged that New Zealand contractors should build the New' Zealand railways, as they knew local conditions best, and had expert engineers and men for the work. He strongly supported New Zealand tenders on the score of cost. An Interjector: Making a grand speech now! Mr. Coates: Has the hon. gentleman ®ver heard me make a bad one? (Laughter.) Mr. Coates stressed the importance of other works and the cost. Sir Joseph Ward: You borrowed *.’96.000,000 in 10 years. Mr. Coates differed, but Sir Joseph Ward said he had it on record. Mr. Coates: So have I. Sir Joseph Ward: “Borrow, boom, ft nd burst!” (Laughter.) Mr. Coates continued that there was Plenty of money in New Zealand for investment. He touched on interest rntes, their effect on the farmer, and also the heavy local body rates. The Government had done its best to help *ne farmer in the provision of transPort by its programme of building railways and roads. Sixty millions

would not help the farmer. If Sir Joseph Ward were Prime Minister he would be wise to put aside money for developing unproductive land. Sir Joseph: I intend to ask the House to set up two land settlement boards. Mr. Coates advised him not to make the boards too wide apart. Concluding, Mr. Coates said that the country was always his concern before party, and he was sure that was the opinion of the members sitting round him. In reply to an interjection from Sir Joseph Ward that 300 men had been transferred from one district to another to vote Reform, Mr. Coates made

a strong denial, but Sir Joseph Ward said: “Ask Mr. Hockly.” Mr. Coates denied offering to show a tile to Sir Joseph Ward. Questions of political belief or creed liad never entered into any Government appointments. Discussing his record as Prime Minister, Mr. Coates said that when he first was leader the country faced a trade debit of £5,750,000, a slump comparable with that of 1920. It was possible that his good work: since had not been recognised by the electors. Mr. Coates and his party had worked for the country alone, and had reached a credit balance which had never been higher. The Government was handing over a very much clearer and brighter prospect to whatever was the next Government. When the mists of conflict cleared away the people would realise that the country had been served by a capable and reliable administration. Mr. Coates said it would bo very difficult to restore the salary cut to the Civil Service, from an accountancy point of view’. Sir Joseph Ward said he had promised to investigate the position. Mr. Coates offered help to those who followed him and his party in the future. He had no rancour and no feelings of resentment against any person or persons. He finished with an appeal for consideration by all parties for native affairs. He spoke for an hour and a-quarter and was applauded loudly. On the tick of noon to-day Mr. Speaker rose in the House of Representatives to put the question that the words proposed to be added, be so added, the words referred to being Sir Joseph Ward’s proposed no-confidence addition to the Address-in-Reply. “As many as are of that, opinion say ‘Aye.’ ” There were low-spoken “Ayes” from the Opposition and Labour benches. “As many as are of the contrary opinion say ‘No.’ ” There was a loud and cheerful Reform chorus. “The ‘Noes’ have it.” said Mr. Speaker in his most judicial voice. “The ‘Ayes’ have it,” challenged Sir Joseph Ward.

“A division is called for?” queried | Mr. Speaker. j “Yes.” “Ring the bells.” The moment the question was put j and on the locking of the doors, the | whole House was on its feet. The J Prime Minister was accosted by Mr. j Parry, who warmly shook hands. This was a signal for the wholesale descent of United and Labour well-wishers upon Mr. Coates, a pretty and human touch in his moment of defeat. The Prime Minister was only a moment in the division lobby and he walked back to his seat with a smart springy step. There was an excited buzz of conversation while the House waited for

the return of the tellers, then a hush as Mr. Speaker asked members to resume their seats. At 12.11 Sir Charles Statham gave the House and the country the figures. “The ‘Ayes’ are 50. The ‘Noes’ are 28. The words are added. Unlock the doors.” Mr. A. E. An sell replied in a’sentence and the Address as amended was carried on the voices. Then Sir Joseph Ward moved that he, Mr. G. W. Forbes, Mr. T. M. Wilford and Sir Apirana Ngata be a committee to prepare the Address-in - Reply. This was a mere formality, as the amended Address was immediately read and the necessary resolutions passed to enable it to be presented at Government House immediately. The House-then adjourned until 2.30 p.m. NO EXULTATION The adjournment of the House of Representatives following the defeat of the Government was marked by no outburst of enthusiasm, although the members of all parties clustered about Sir Joseph Ward to congratulate him, and about Mr. Coates to grip his hand. One of the finest things in the whole session has been the absence of exultation on the one hand or disappointment on the other. Mr. Coates has borne himself exceedingly well. When the House resumes this afternoon Mr. Coates will move the adjournment for the week-end, during which he will resign, so that when the House meets again, which will be. not later than Tuesday, the United Parly will sit on Mr. Speaker’s right as the Government.

Yesterday’s Parliamentary news will be found on page 6.