PAIRING AND WHIPPING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9912, 29 July 1910, Page 1

PAIRING AND WHIPPING

p. —. TROUBLE IN PARLIAMENT,

GOVERNMENT LOSES A VOTE [From Ovti Correspondent.]

"WELLINGTON, July 28. The division on Mr Massey's w'ant-of-confidenee motion, this evening was followed by a palpable difference of opinion on. the floor of the House between the Government and Opposition Whips, Messrs H. G. Ell and C. A. C. Hardy, and after the division was announced forty-one to thirty-one in favour of the Government, Mr Ell rose in explanation.

Mr Ell said that during the day Mr T. K. Sicley, who had had to leave for Dunedin that evening to attend th© funeral of a relative, had informed him that he was paired with Mr James Allen, but that gentleman had voted on the- other side. Mr Sidey had even informed him that he had arranged the pair with the Opposition Whip and had certainly gone away under the impression that his vote would be recorded. Mr .Hardy said that one story was good enough until another was told. In consequence of what he regarded as sharp practice on the part of the Government Whip that afternoon he had gone into the lobby in an exceedingly angry state. Mr Sicley had told him that he had to leave for Dunedin, and had asked for a. pair, stating that Mr Allen had offered him a pair. " I remarked," continued Mr Hardy, "that Mr Allen had not promised that and I could not record it, but I. offered to give him Mr Newman. I made him understand clearly, and distinctly that he was not paired with Mr Allen." Mr J. F. Arnold said that Mr Sidey had certainly told him that lib was paired with Mr Allen and. had certainly gone nway with that impression. Mr Hardy: I mado .him understand that he was not paired witli Mr Allen. The Prime Minister; Mr Sidey arranged a pair ivith Mr Allen first. Mr Hardy: No member of the party will go back on a Whip. Mr Allen: Yesterday Mr Sidey spoke to me about his leaving, and I told him that very likely I was going down on Friday night. I said, " I will give- you a pair, but I must first see the Whip." I -told Mr Hardy I was willing to give him a pair, and at.that meeting 1 understood I was paired, but Mr Hardjy came to me afterwards and said, "I cannot let you havo anything but a live pair," and informed me that he could not pair me until Friday. The Prime Minister: I am quite stir© that Mr Sidey told me he was paired with Mr Allen.

Mr Hardy protested that it was customary to take an honourable gentleman's assurance, and his own had not been controverted.

Mr M.'assey said that Opposition members who were present did fcot usually pair with Government members who were absent. Mr Allen was -nil honourable man, and if paired wMjld not have voted. Mr Ell: Mr Sidey did not men%m Mr Newman's name.

A voice: But Mr. Allen admits I bat he was paired. The matter then dropped.