VOTE OF INDEPENDENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1930, Page 11

VOTE OF INDEPENDENTS

AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET

EXCEPTION TAKEN TO CHANGE.

CRITICISM OF MR. J. S. FLETCHER.

(By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter). Wellington, Last Night.

The change of attitude on the part of Independent members, particularly Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn), in voting with the Opposition on the noconfidence amendment to the Budget debate was referred to by Mr. ,C. 11. Clinkaid in the House to-day. He asked if it had been the wish of the Independents to vote the Government out and go to the country or to put the Opposition in power. If they had thought the Government would have been defeated they would not have voted as they did. It was a peculiar action for any- members to take and he did not tlnnk it was a fair thin" to do.

Mr. A. Hamilton: That statement; i-s. not justified. Mr. Clinkard: I' think it is justified and I am the best custodian of my own conscience.

Mr. Clinkard said he did not altogether blame the Independents; they were not attached to any party and could easily satisfy their own consciences. The member for Grey Lynn had been returned as a supporter of the Government but in his remarks he had been one of its keenest critics. Did he wish to depose the present party or go to the country? Mr. Fletcher: Go to the country!

Mr. Clinkard: That is what I hoped the member would say. It is his duty, to 'go to the country and see whether his.-electors are satisfied with his ac'tion. If there had been some item of the Budget that he : had taken ex-, ception to we would have understood his action, but he made a direct vote against the Government on a motion of no-confidence.

Mr. W. L. Martin: He made a fool of himself.

Mr. Clinkard: Last session, in sporting parlance, he tried to make his alley good by claiming to defend the unemployed, but ho had no monopoly of sympathy on tjbat question. Mr. A. M. Samuel: He is very sincere, though. Mr. Clinkard said the members of the United Party were also sincere on thequestion. If Mr. Fletcher had had 30 or 49 years ef local body experience he would realise that a man. must follow his colleagues to some extent. They had heard- Mr Fletcher refer to land settlement, but what did he know of land settlement Did he gain his knowledge on the Banks of Clyde before he came to New Zealand? Mr'. Clinkard went on to say he had always been loyal to his party and that he was not afraid ef losing his seat. Mr. Fletcher: Neither am I. Mr. Clinkard suggested Mr. Fletcher ■should follow the good example set by Mr. Jenkins, who resigned his seat some months ago in order to appeal to the electors.

A Labour voice' to- Mr. Flctehcr: Don’t you do it!