CAUGHT NAPPING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17014, 12 April 1923, Page 8

CAUGHT NAPPING.

THE GOVERNMENT DEFEAT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, April 11. Ministerial slackness lias created an extremely awkward situation for the Government, which the Opposition is exploiting to the full. The defeat on a snap division was unexpected. By its vote the House refused to go into Committee of Supply on the Civil Service Estimates, so a way out of the muddle was essential. At hrst it was thought it would be necessary to start a new session to deal with the Civil Service Estimates. The Speaker was consulted, and decided to accept a motion on Thursday that lie leave the chair in order that the whole House may go into Committee of Supply This removes the necessity for a new session, and will right the unfortunate situation. The defeat was due to the fact that the Government Whip hail said that a division was expected at 11.30 o’clock, whereas it was actually taken a few minutes earlier. AY hile the division was going on there was no indication of a crisis, but the manner in which the Laboui benches suddenly filled up showed that there had been an attempt to catch the G over 11 men t napp i iig. When a clerk at the table banded the Labour Whip a slip bearing the figures of the division, a burst of cheers arose from the Opposition benches, developing into a. pandemonium of shouting. The Labourites were scattering order papers in all directions, and Colonel Wedgwood, waving his handkerchief, led round after round of cheering. Mr G. Lansbury, shouting in the direction of the Government front bench, said: “You’ll soon be on a dole!” When order was partially restored. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, Leader of the Opposition, asked what the Government proposed. After a hasty conference, Mr Neville Chamberlain, the .senior member of the Government, without comment, moved the adjournment. Mr Bonar Law- was not present when the division was taken. Mr W. M’R. Pringle, one of the recognised humourists of the House, could not resist poking fun at the Government. He suggested that the motion must be fatal to the Government’-: existence. It was, he said, beyond the ingenuity of any Parliamentarian in frame a motion which would reverse the House’s decision during the current session. He asked what sense there was in meeting to morrow for a a academic discussion, while those transient, miserable phantoms occupied the Treasury Bench. (Cheers and laughter.) Mr Pringle said he was glad the National Liberals had been with the Opposition in bringing an end to this thoroughly inept, futile and incompetent Administration. He moved that the House adjourn until Thursday. The Labour Party did not .support the motion, which was negatived without division, and the House rose. The lobby is highly excited. Tt *s generally thought that the incident will strengthen the movement, for a rapprochement with Mr Austen Chamberlain and other Unionist ex Ministers, thus strengthening the Government. The state of parties in the.. Ho use of Commons after the general election in November last was as followsGovernmnt, 347: Opposition. 268; Government majority. 7 £/. The by-elections held since the general election have io duced this majority.