A STRIKING DIVISION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 881, 29 July 1910, Page 5

A STRIKING DIVISION.

GOVERNMENT'S SMALL MAJORITY.

ON WANT-OF-CONFIDENCE MOTION. HOW MEMBEES VOTED. Not for a long time has a division occasioned more comment in the lobbies than that which took place on the want-of-confidence motion, last night. Lnst session, it is true, five divisions were carried against the Government, but nono of them was on a no-coiiKdenco motion. As will bo seen from the report of tho proceedings, 31 members voted in iavour of tho motion, whilst 41 were ■ opposed to it. This is the smallest margin which tho Liberal party have secured on such a motion lor upwards of 15 years. An analysis of tho voting on the occasion is of interest.

It will be seen that all the inembei'6 of tho Opposition party, with the exception of Mr. JN'owuian, who was ill in bed, supported the motion brought down by then , leader. In addition the resolution found favour with five Ministerialists—Messrs. Koss (Pahiatua), Dillon (Hawke's Hay), J. C. Thomson (Wallace), Jennings (Tauiuarunui), and Field (Otaki), all of whom are supporters of the freehold principle. Among those who opposed Mr. Massey's motion were six freeholders—Messrs. Glover (Auckland Central), Greenslade (Waikato), Macdonald (Bay of Plenty),. Myers (Auckland East), Heed (Bay of Islands), and Smith (Uangitikei). Tho Government also had the support of Mr. T. E. Taylor (Christchurch North). This leaves one Opposition member (Mr. Newman), five Government members (Messrs. Hogan, Wiliord, Kaihau, Guinness, and Sidey), one Independent (ilr. Luke), and one Labour member (Mr. ITLaren) unaccounted for. As has been previously stated, Mr. Newman, who would have voted against the Government, was too indisposed to attend tho House. Of the Government members who did not votes Mr. Sidey, who, it is understood, would have' voted with thn Ministry, was en route'to Duncdin on account of the death of a relative. The Hon. A. R. Guinness, who is a. leaseholder, was prevented from exercising his vote by reason of the fact that he was presiding over tho House in his capacity as Speaker. Mr. Kaihau arrived at the House just as the division was being taken, but owing to the fact that he had not been resworn was unable to use his vote, which, in all probability wonld havp gone in favour of the Government. Mr. Hogan,' who is a leaseholder, put in an appearance at the House just after the division had taken place. The other Government member who was absent, Mr. Wilford, is a strong freeholder. The Independent member, Mr. Luke, and the Labour member, Mr. 51'Laren, are both leaseholders, but it is not known in which direction they would have cast their votes.

"PERFECTLY SATISFIED." COMMENT J3X ME. MASSET. Speaking to a Dominion reporter with regard to tho result of the. wantofconfidence motion, Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, said: i "I am perfectly satisfied with the divirion. I moved tho amrmdmout not in the hope or with the idea of defeating the Government, but on account of the fact that the Government so far have been unable to place a land policy before ihe country. I felt it to be my duty to make our position perfectly clear.. 1 am speaking of the Opposition members, and I am proud of tho fact that every member of my party voted with me and for a progressive land policy. I hope that tha debate and the" division t.iken together will have the effect of showing the Government that the country expects the party in power to put forward a "definite land policy, dealing with both Crown and Native lands, and stand by such, policy. I am quite sure that what has taken place will do a .great deal of good. At all events, it will show the people that the really progressive party in Parliament is on tho Opposition side of the House."