Prime Minister Wishes All Good Campaigning

Chronicle (Levin), 14 October 1946, Page 7

Prime Minister Wishes All Good Campaigning

—Press Assvciation

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Oct. 12, Yociferous "noes'.' from both sides of the House greeted Mr. Speaker 's motion, "that this House do now adjourn," when the Honse of Eepresem tatives reassembled upon the ringing of the bells shortly before noon today. The ehallenge that "the noes have it" was promptly accepted by Mr. Schramm, who ordered the doors to be loeked and a division to be taken. "Some of us will be in strange company, ' ' said Mr. Holland. The levity with which members were dispersing Avas quiekly evident, however, when Mr. Schramm appointed Messrs Fraser and Holland as tellers for the "ayes" and Messrs Nash and Holyoake for the "noes." Heads were quiekly counted, and, although some members showed hesitancy in deciding which lobby to enter, their doubts were resolved by the Minister of Eeliabilitation (Mr. Skinner) calling from one exit to the other: "IIow many more do you need on your side?" When Messrs Fraser and Holland returned from eounting over their division lists, the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) remarked: "They appear to be juggling with the figures. ' 1 'Mr. Fraser: Nothing of the kind, apart from ringing in one of the messengers. Mr. Speaker announced that the result was II ayes and lf noes, and he declared on precedent for the adjournment of the House. An Intemiption. The good humour of the occasion was interrupted during the members ; absence from the Chamber by an interruption from the public gallery on the floor of the House. Oue of the few remaining spcctators there, Mr. Paul N'erschall'elt, a former Public Scrvico Comxnissioner, rose to his feet and shouted: "Mr. Speaker, I protest against the Public Service Amendmonl Bill. It is an abortion of a Bili and it is unworkable. " "Unlock the doors and put him oulside, " ordered Mr. Speaker. "Put him outside the building. " This was done before members returned from the lobbies and most of tliem were unaware of the iuterruption. Tributes Paid. The constitution of the next Parliament would be determined by the electors after wliat would doublless be a very vigorous campaign, but wliatcver the outcome, personal frieudships made in the ILouse of ItcprcscnLativcs uould survi\'c tho eloction, said the Prime Minister in valedictory remarks. He paid tributes to Mr. Speaker (Mr. F. W. Schramm), the Chairnxan of Committees (Mr. 11. McKeen), who had pkxyed an important part in controlliug the business of the House, to the Clerk of the W rits, who is also Secretary for the JJepartment of Internal Alfairs (Mr. J". W. Heenan) who, said Ihe Prixue Minister, was an important xuau in the organisation of Parliamout, to the Clerk oi" the House (Mr. G. F. Bothamley), who was retiriug after -it) yoars' service, and whose family had a long association with Parliament, aud to other oilicers who all assisted in Ihe conduct of Parliament. The Prime Minister also paid a tribute to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland), and to the Opposition members for the xuanner in wlxxclf they had cooperated aixd conducted their role in the House, and thanked the Government party for their loyaltv. He regretted the departure from the House of two of his Ministers, Mr. P. C. Webb and Mr. B. Boberts, each of whom had given capable and loval service to the country. Of the two Opposition members, Messrs A. Ilamiltoxi (Wallace) and W. J. Polson (Stratford), who were retiring, Mr. Fraser said that tliey had both been his colleagues for a long time. Mr. Hamilton had been a loyal and faithful colleaguc and had showii great (levotion and had given great service durixig the wai' years. He had admired Mr. Polson 's iighting qualities riglit to the last and regretted the departure of a strong but straightforward opponent. To those memliers of the Government who were eonipelled to retire because of illliealth and other reasous, Messrs P. Carr (Auckland West), G. L. Lowry (Otaki), P. Ne'ilson (Dunedin Centi'al) and ,T. Hodgens (Palmerston XTorth) he offered his best wishes for their recovery and his thanks for their loyalty. Mr. Fraser extended Christmas and New Year wishes to all nxembers and a good election campaign". Mr. Holland associated hinxself with the tributes paid by the Prime Minisler aud acknowledged the great help l members had received from the Minis- | ters aixd their staffs. Mr. Holland said that he hoped the election light would be a keen one, for that was in the country 's best interests. Mr. .Schramm paid a tribute to kTr. Bothamley and said that the clerlcdesigxxate, Mr. H. N. Dollixxxore, who had made a special studv of the clerk 's duties, would be an excellent successor to the post. Mr. Scliramm also paid a tribute to the manager of Bellamy 's (Mr. 0. Williamsoxx) for his work siuce accepting the appointnxent under difticult circunxstances.