“Matter Too Trivial To Precipitate An Election.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19108, 28 June 1930, Page 12

“Matter Too Trivial To Precipitate An Election.”

lively debate OCCURS IN HOUSE OVER REFORM PARTY’S NOMINATION.

(Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, June 27.

' | 'HE matter is too trivial tion,” said the Leader ol this evening, during a discussio a Chairman of Committees. The occasion* provoked a lively debate, with critical party opinions, as the Reform Opposition nominated Mr Macpherson, Government member for Oamaru, against' Mr Bodkin, Government member for Otago Central, who was the official nominee. The Labour Party pointedly declined to join the Opposition, its leader declaring the matter too trivial to precipitate a general election Ultimately Mr Macpherson withdrew and Mr Bodkin was unanimously elected. Immediately the House resumed, the chief Government whip, Mr Munns, moved and Mr Healy, junior whip, seconded, Mr Bodkin be appointed chairman o‘f committees. Mr Kyle rose from the Reform benches to propose Mr Macpherson for the office. “ The House,” he said, “ has a legitimate right to elect its own Chairman of Committees its own Speaker. Mr Macpherson is a very old and experienced member, and I believe the deliberations of the House under his chairmanship would result in complete impartiality and decorum.” In seconding the amendment, Mr Harris said that Mr Macpherson was well equipped for the position, where he would command as in the past the respect and confidence of every member. The Government Challenged. “ I don't know whether the amendment has been moved on behalf of the Reform Party or not,” said the Prime Minister. “ The appointment of officers of the House is a matter for the Government, and unless the Government has control of the election of these officers it is to be taken as an indication that the Government does not possess the confidence of the House.” Mr Coates: Nonsense! The Prime Minister: It is just as well to understand what the effect of the amendment is. The nomination of Mr Bodkin is the Government’s nomination. Mr Harris: You did not nominate him. The Prime Minister: And any other nomination will be taken as a hostile motion. Mr Holland, leader of the Labour Party, suggested that some explanation was due to the House for the position which has arisen. There was the Government nominating a. member of its own party for a position, and its nominee opposed by a member of its own party. Notwithstanding that, everybody knew be forehand that a second nomination would be taken by the Government as an indication of no confidence. Reform members: No. Too Trivial for General Election. “ * d ° not think the question whether the member for Oamaru or the member for Otago Central should bfe elected is a big enough question on which to send this Parliament to the country, said Mr Holland, who continued, 4 just imagine this House taking the responsibility of precipitating a general election, or, what would be worse, putting the Reform Party on the Treasury benches, over the ques- . J h . eth % r , P°e man or another should be Chairman of Committees.” (Reform laughter.) Mr Fraser: Which would be the worse ? Mr Holland: It may be that either one of thijm will have better qualifications than the other, but it is quite <; . a . r that the move is a party move tp 1 " Nonsense. Atmore opened his speech by expressing agreement with the leader of the Labour Party. This P .L. u , a cl »orus of interruption and ridicule from Reform Members, while Mr Fraser remarked "Listen to the kookaburras. The Minister asked if the member for Otago Central was to be denied an honourable position because he had been a vigorous fighter. He had shown conspicuous ability and made a fighting speech last session for which Reform would like to penalise him. "I would like to ask the Member for Oamaru,” concluded Mr Atmore, "to say that he has not been a party to this, but if he is that he will not embarrass the party which he has so loyally served for years, and that he will take higher ground than allowing himself to get a division which must be

.1 to precipitate a general elecf tile Labour Parly in the House in on the question of appointing

accepted as a deliberate challenge to the Government in this House.” Looking Very Innocent. A semi-humorous appeal to Mr Macpherson was also made by Mr Fraser (Wellington Central). who genially remarked: "I don't know whether he is a consenting party. He has been looking very innocent throughout the discussion, almost too innocent. (Laughter.) The sands of running out. He will have to make up his mind whether he will re main in allegiance to his party, or whether he is going to walk out. It is inevitably a no confidence motion.” Nomination Withdrawn. Ultimately Mr Macpherson defined his position having received from Mr Speaker an affirmative reply to his question as to whether the House had the right of determining itself to i pointment of Chairman of Commit tees. He said he had neither taken an active part in the nomination nor expressed a desire to be nominated. A * targe number of members from more than one side of the House had ap- ’ proached him. and other members had told him that they were consenting to the nomination. He had under j stood in all good faith that there was I to be more than ope nomination, and believing the House had the privilege ! and right to determine the question he ; had agreed to his name going forward ! lhere had been no collusion or any party motive. Mr Macpherson said he did not think the question was of sufficient importance to warrant any Prime Minister making it a question ot no confidence (hear, hear). He repeated that other members had told him tljat they intended to allow their na s^ es _ to go forward for nomination j av - asei li. Were they members of. the United Party? A Reform member: Don’t take any notice of that. Mr Fraser repeated the question, i- no * P re P ar ed to answer,” replied Mr Macpherson. “You Will have to find that out for yourself.” He ask ed the Prime .Minister for an assurance that he had definitely decided to make the motion one of no confidence. Mr Forbes reiterated his earlier statement that he had decided hvthal direction, adding, “If the Government is not able to carry its nominations in the House I no longer wish to remain m the position I am in.” Mr Semple: Why don’t you disci pline your party and save the country expense. Mr Macpherson .said he had no de sire to embarrass the country or put it to the cost of a general election (Laughter.) Having had the assur ance of the Prime Minister that the motion would be accepted as one of no confidence he would at once ask his nomination to be withdrawn. “I would still like it to go on,” said Mr Kyle, mover of Mr Macpherson's nomination. Mr Fraser: Oh, you can’t scratch ' him. (Laughter.) The amendment was withdrawn and Mr Bodkin was unanimously elected chairman , ‘Returning thanks Mr Bodkin said he would endeavour to carry out his duties with the utmost impartiality and he asked for the support of mem ; bers on all occasions.