NO-CONFIDENCE TEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 264, 5 October 1933, Page 6

NO-CONFIDENCE TEST

GOVERNMENT’S EASY MARGIN. TWO AMENDMENTS DEFEATED. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. The decisive stage in the no-confi-dence test in the House of Representatives was reached to-night, when in two successive divisions the Government obtained a safe margin, though there was interesting voting. It was a complicated procedure, Mr R. A. Wright having moved an amendment to an amendment. To secure its adoption it would have been necessary to delete from Air H- E. Holland’s no-confidence amendment all the words after jits first sentence, and it was on the auestion whether these words proposed to be omitted stand as part of the original amendment that the House divided. The Labour Opposition was required to go into the “Ayes” lobby, and with them went Messrs Rusliworth, Stallworthy, Atmore, Wilkinson and McDougall. They brought the Opposition total to 27, but the “Noes” totalled nineteen more and therefore the lengthy amendment moved by the Leader of the Opposition disappeared. It had been a no-confidence test, and on this Messrs Wright, Veitch and Harris, the leaders in the anti-ex-change amendment, voted for the Government. The course was now clear for the House, if it wished, to add the words required by Mr Wright indicating the opinion that the House desired a return to free exchange uncontrolled by the Government and without compensation to the banks. The test was taken without further discussion, this amendment being rejected by 43 votes to 30, because the three members mentioned did not on this occasion join the Government forces. Mr McDougall significantly voted against the Government on both occasions—not a surprising attitude in view of his previous night’s speech containing the declaration that he would not vote for any Government which permitted the Wheat Purchase Board to pursue its present policy. OLD TACTICS REVIVED. Reviving the tactics adopted when the United Party was in opposition ten years ago and moved a series of half a dozen amendmentSj each an attack on a different subject, Air P. Fraser immediately moved a. further amendment: “That this House affirms that, in view of the wide dissatisfaction with the administration by your Excellency’s advisers, Parliament should be dissolved and a general election called without delay.” General laughter greeted this effort, Air Fraser caustically quoting “A loud laugh bespeaks a vacant mind.” and adding “The old Reform cackle supported by the New Plymouth tremolo.” His attack on the Government was followed by a friendly speech from Air A. E. Juft, indicating that the Ad-dress-in-Reply had resumed its usual course. OUT OF THE PARTY. PRIAIE AIINISTER ON AIR McDOUGALL. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 5. As a result of liis adverse vote in the House last night, Air AlcDougall is no longer a member of the Coalition. This is the view of the Prime Alinister, although Air Forbes considers he is under no obligation to point out that position to the member concerned. “AVhen a member by voting against his party on a want of confidence amendment, which, if carried, would result in the overthrow of the Administration and precipitate a general election, gives such a public intimation of his attitude there is no need for further explanation,” said the Prime Alinister this morning. “That is as clear as it could possibly be. Air McDougall has publicly dissociated himself from the Government and gone into the Opposition to it. The head of the Government has to take that intimation for what it means. If a member makes a prior explanation as to his intentions and attitude it is perhaps a different matter. “The intimation given to the country by Air AlcDougall is the official one. * Nothing further is required, certainly nothing from the head of the Government. Mr AlcDougall has officially intimated to the Government and the country that he is prepared to vote the Administration out. He cannot therefore be looked upon in any way as a supporter of the Coalition.” No communication has been sent to Air AlcDougall by the Prime Alinister. The most tangible evidence of his exclusion from the Coalition was provided this morning, when his name did not appear on the invitation list to a caucus. The member for Alataura is not regretting his action. “I advised Air Alasters beforehand,” said Air AlcDougall in a subsequent interview, “that as long as the present restrictions remained on the Southland wheatgrowers so long would I cast- my vote against the Government, even if it meant a general election. Furhermore, as I wish to emphasise that until the wheatgrowers of Southland are permitted to sell their product where they like and how they like and to free mills if they wish to, I will continue to vote against the Government. If the Government is prepared to lift the restrictions, then I will vote for it.” Asked whether, in the light- of his adverse vote, he would continue as a member of the Coalition, Mr AlcDougall smiled. “I will stay with the Gov. ernment until I am asked to go,” he answered. “I have not yet been told to go. The next move will lia-ve to come from the Leaders of the Coalition.” Air AlcDougall’s defection effects an amendment to the state of the parties in the House, the position now being as under: Coalition 49 Labour 24 Independents ... ..." 6 Country Party ... 1