NO-CONFIDENCE AMENDMENT REJECTED.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13352, 28 February 1912, Page 2

NO-CONFIDENCE AMENDMENT REJECTED.

ON THE SPEAKER'S CASTING

VOTE.

MR. ATMORE WITH LIBERALS.

RESULT RECEIVED IN SILENCE.

[United Press Association.]

Welllngtan, Feb 27

The division bell rang for the first time this session at 11.55p.m1, after a brief speech by the Hon D. Buddo. The debate had lasted 'for;-. six days, and when the division was called-for the galleries were crou'ded, and the air was electrical. Tho amcudmont was put in tho form that those i>i favour of the addition of the words proposed to bo added by Mr Massey should go into the Ayes lobby, Mil those voting with Sir Joseph Ward it - to tho Noes lobby.

There vero roars from, each side, and tho Speaker declared "The Noes have it." . -

A division was called for, and Messrs Rhodes and Guthrie, Opposi-tion-Whips, were off as tellers for tho Ayes, and Messrs Ell an.l Mac Donald, Government Whips, as tellers for tho Noes.

When Mr Atmore was seen walking into the Noes lobby behind Mr Mo Callum the cup of office was dash?! from Mr Massey's lips.

"No demonstration," was Sir Joseph Ward's crisp order to his i Ilo'.vers when his victory was assured. A tie was announced, with 39 on each side, and Sir Arthur Guinness gavr his casting vote —in accordance ,vth constitutional practice and proeedj-e —with the Government noes, and rVclared the amendment lost.

The announcement was received ;n dead silenco, and the motion for the Addross-in-Roply was carried v, i-Jmut dissent.