SECOND BALLOT BLOCKADE

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14831, 24 November 1913, Page 9

SECOND BALLOT BLOCKADE

MAJORITY OR MINORITY RULE?

HOW TO "CUT THE GORDIAST

KNOT."

PRIME MINISTERS HINT.

foPECIAI. TO "THK PRESS."! WELLINGTON, November 22

After tho Telegraph Office closed at -' a.m. the House continued to discuss Mr G. W. Rnstsell's proposal to delete tho word "Legislature" from the short title- of the Legislature Act Amendment Bill. The speakers exercised ingenuity to show reason why the record should or should not be retained, frequently running tho gauntlet of the chairman's displeasuro for irrelevancy, but tho sitting went on for hours without any incident. Then, just before the House adjourned for breakfast a somewhat heated exchange of remarks took place between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Sir .Joseph Ward suggested that in view of the funeral of the lato Mr Goo. Laurenson tbo Hotiso .*hould adjourn until -'.30 n.m. on Monday. He said that if the Government "would agree to this tho Opposition would at onco pass the short title (clause 1) of the Bill. Members foJt it would bo hurtful to their feelings to come back and indulge in Parliamentary -warfare after paying respect to tbo dead.

Tho Prirno Minister said that he could not accede to the request. "I have a. duty to this House a/id to this country," he said, "and I .am going to do it to tho best of my ability. So far as tho request (in regard to the funeral) is concerned, arrangements bavo been made to adjourn until this afternoon." Ho thought that this was all that was necessary for proper respect to the late Mr Laurcnson. Ho offered, .however, to adjourn to 2.30 p.m. on Monday if the Opposition would pass clause 1 and 2. Mr Massey added, "I am going to sec this fight through." Sir Joseph Ward: So arc we. Mr Massey: Wo are determined to see the light through whatever the consequences may be. WILL FIGHT TO THE END. Sir Joseph Ward said ho could not agreo to tho Prime Minister's suggestion. ''Wo will fight this right out to tho end," he said, '"no matter how long it may be." ' Mr Massey: I would remind tho right hou. gentleman what happened wnen tho Second Ballot Bill was before tho House. It -was strongly opposed by several members, including myself, but there was no stonewalling. Tho right bon. gentleman was also allowed to pass a huge Electoral Bill to which there was much opposition. We were prepared to submit to the will of the majority. What the right hon. gentjeman is doing now is trying by improper methods to impose tho will of tho minority on the majority. lam prepared to take the ■whole consequences of what I am doing. Sir Joseph Ward said tho Opposition would continue to fight because they were fighting for a principle. Up to date tho Opposition had been fighting on nothing. * Later, when there would be a really important matter to fight on (evidently referring to tho proposed, second _ ballot repeal clause) no power in earth could stop them dealing with all tho clauses of the Legislature Bill. Mr Massey: I know what will stop you. . Sir. Joseph Ward: You try anything in tho -way of the guillotine in this House and "see what the result will be: You try it on; you will land yourself ia serious* trouble. "CUTTING THE GORDIAN* KNOT." Mr Massey: There is a way of cutting the, Gordiau knot, and when tho time comes the Gordian.knot .will bo cut' cleanly. I know exactly of what 1 am. speaking. Reference has been made to tho, unusual method by which this matter was placed before Parliament, but I say that the circumstances are unusual. It was after such obstruction had been offered by the Opposition as had never been attempted in" any Parliament in this country. Something has been said, too, about majority rule. The right hon. gentleman is trying to impose minority rule in this House. Certain of the members of this House aro pledged to the repeal of tho Second Ballot Act. There are men who are pledged to support tho repeal of the second ballot who are now opposing it; these pledges are .recorded. I have those records, and tho people of tho country have those records, and when those gentlemen are asked, as they may be in the very near future why those Sledges aTe not kept, they will find ifc ard to answer. "NO POWER TO DO IT." Sir Joseph Ward : With regard to the Prime Minister's statement that under certain circumstances he will cut mc Gordian knot, I want to say that he has no power to do it. That power is ueyond him, and if that were don© it would be such a departure from constitutional practice that I don't think any man in a responsible position would dare do it. But if tho Gbrdjan knot is cut we are ready tor it. and we are not going to trade upon the troubles of the community in the hope that we are gome to get any political advantage. We are, above that and beyond it. * Amidst some confusion Mr moved that the House adjourn until 2.30 p.m. ■ ■ _ This was agreed to, and the House rose at 8.13 a.m. . - ■