THE SESSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 128, 6 July 1914, Page 8

THE SESSION.

AN EXCITING TIME.

MR PAYNE'S POSITION.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT

INTEND? .

[From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 5.

The proposed suspension of the member for Grey Lynn (Mr John Payne) has set all tongues wagging in and around Parliament. Nothing more startling has happened for many a day. And it all came so unexpectedly. The debate on the No-Confidence motion had dragged on hour after hour, and all those who were doomed to listen to it were becoming very tired of it, when the unexpected happened. Mr Payne's interjection that "He sits there through bribery and corruption," certainly woke up the House. Perhaps it was not altogether his interjection-^for only a small portion of those present heard his actual words. But there could be no mistaking tlie fact that the Prime Minister heard it, and took a serious view of if, w,hen he rose and proposed that the words should be taken down; That even the members on the actual floor of the House had not all heard the interjection was proved by the fact that Mr W. H. D. Bell (Wellington -Suburbs), who sits near Mr Payne, had to rise in his seat and explain what had been said. Mr Massey was obviously annoyed with Mr Payne, and he seemed determined that the offending member should be punished or at least made to recognise the gravity of his offence. Several- members on the Opposition side tried hard to excuse Grey Lynn's impetuous representative, but the Prime Minister was determined; he was not j vindictive, but he was anxious to do his ; duty to the House and to maintain the dignity of Parliament. He therefore allowed himself to be persuaded to give Mr Payne one more change to explain himself and to hold over the proposal: for his - suspension. But in the meantime Mr Payne had fled. It transpired subsequently that* he had gone home, and on Saturday morning he left for Napier, where his business interests lie. He was admittedly acting on the .advice of his fellow members on the Labour benches. It is to-day quietly announced by his friends that he will return to Wellington by the Main* Trunk train on Tuesday. This train arrives in Wellington a few minutes before 4 p.m., But it is almost certain that his case will be dealt with as soon as the House meets at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. From what, can be gathered to-day, it is the intention of the Prime Minister to stand firm, and that Mr Payne is equally determined to maintain his position.' It is certainly one of the most unique and most interesting situations which has occurred 'in the House for some years. THE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council has' decided to hold a holiday until Wednesday, July 15. This decision has been interpreted in many ways. Opposition members assort that it shows that the Government is not ready with its list of appointments to the Council. This may be so, tut it does not prevent the prediction from the other side that there may possibly be a very important announcement on the subject to-morro.w. Again it is argued that the Government intends to abandon its policy of silerice on .the No-Confidence debate in the House; if this is the case the debate will be fairly prolonged, and the House will not have any business to forward to the Council for some time. Should the debate continue through the week this will certainly' be the case, but then the Opposition say, '' Why does Mr Bell not introduce his Council Reform Bill, which is known to be ready? Is it because the Government cannot get the majority which it deems necessary for the passing of the measure? -Of course, ail this is mere speculation, but it shows the state of uncertainty into which the members of the Houses have worked themselves. No one knows what the future holds, and, in the end, it wijl not be surprising if even the most knowing finds he has been off the track.