MR NOSWORTHY PAIRED CONTRARY TO WISHES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18587, 12 October 1928, Page 10

MR NOSWORTHY PAIRED CONTRARY TO WISHES.

MR J. M’COMBS REFERS TO HANSARD RECORD. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, October 10. “ Hansard ” with the licensing divisions is just published, and, according to Mr J. M’Combs, M.P., it reveals the fact that not only has the Hon W. Nosworthy not been paired on the third reading, as promised to an Ashburton constituent, but he has not been paired as he expressly wished on any one of the three proposals mentioned in his letter to the Prime Minister. The record is as follows:- — (1) “Hansard” 24, page 354, shows that Mr Nosworthy was not paired on the question of triennial polls. (2) “Hansard” 24, page 385, shows that Mr Nosworthy paired “for” a three-issue ballot paper, although Mr Nosworthy expressly stated that he wished to be paired “ against ” a threeissue ballot paper and “ for ” a twoissue ballot paper. (3) “Hansard” 25, page 391, shows that Mr Nosworth3' was not paired on Mr Bitchener’s amendment in favour of the bare majority. Mr M’Combs, commenting on this record, says that not a single promise made in connection with the pairing of Mr Nosworthy had been kept. It was true that Mr Nosworthy was shown as being paired “ against ” the 55 per cent majority, but at that period there were two amendments given notice of, namely, a 524 per cent majority and the bare majority, and, as the supporters of both amendments voted against the 55 per cent majority, the 55 per cent was deleted by forty-five to twen-ty-eight votes. A pair on that issue was not vital. “ Hansard ” clearly showed that Mr Nosworthy was not paired on the “ bare majority.” “ The pairing of Mr Rhodes and Mr Nosworthy for and against on the twoissue ballot paper,” said Mr M’Gombs, “ was wholly unjustified, because both these gentlemen voted for a two-issue ballot paper the previous session. It may be that it was intended to pair Mr Nosworthy as voting for a two-issue ballot paper, and that, in trying to cover up, the conspirators got muddled up; but if this pair were reversed, then an injustice would be done to Mr Rhodes, who last session voted for a two-issue ballot paper. Apart from the muddle up, the attempt to pair Mr Nosworthy and Mr Rhodes on this issue is deliberate make-believe. “ Another matter,” he added. “ Before leaving New Zealand, Mr Jordan and Mr Rhodes agreed to pair on the bare majority question, and written instructions were left to that effect. This arrangement was confirmed by a jointly signed cablegram from Canada. Mr Sullivan handed the cablegram to Mr Speaker together with the letter signed by Mr Jordan. ‘ Hansard ’ shows no pairs recorded on the question of the bare majority. Thus Mr Jordan has also been deprived of his vote.”