AN ECHO OF PARTY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3142, 21 July 1917, Page 6

AN ECHO OF PARTY

ABOUT SESSIONAL' COMMITTEES. An echo of party controversy ' was heard in tho House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, when the Prime Minister moved to set up the sessional committees. Dr. Thacker (Chnstchurch East) objected to the constitution of the lands Committees on the ecore that it contained nine Reform members and only five Liberal members. This "party favouritism" should not be permitted when a National Government was j.n Epwer ami party nominally had no existence. Dr. ThacKer added that the committees as submitted to the House' had been formed by Mr. Guthrie, the Reform Whip, without consultation with Mr. Forbes, the Liberal Whip. Mr. D. H. Guthrie (Oroua) explained that the committees were practically the same as in the 1916 session, and he had not thought it necessary to consult Mr. Forbes, who had. been a party to the original arrangement. Party considerations did not arjge in the selection of members of committees. The object pursued waa to place on tie , committees men who had practical knowledge and who were interested, in the subjects to be dealt with. Mr. Wilford-empliasised the fact that tho Liberal Whip had not been consulted about the committees. Mr. Guthrie: No necessity to do so. Mr. Wilford: That is a matter for the House. I don't think the House has abrogated to the hon. member for Oroua the ridifc to select committees. Several other members supported the protest. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wan K anui) said that the Government was arrogating too muoh authority to itself and disre"arding the" rights of private members Thero was a feeling in the House that the .have to assert themselves firmly. Mr. G. Forbes (Hivrunui) said the tone of the debate would suggest that members were burning with a desire to_ serve on committees. The truth was that it was difficult to get quorums at committee meetings. A Labour member had been placed on the Lands Committee as a result of a debate in another year, tat he had seldom attended, since his interests fere elsewhere. He had not been consulted about the committees. Mr Nosworthy (Ashburton) appealed for "peace and quiet," and the Prime Minister said he was surprised that lneinben had not raised the question ear her and made their sugseshons to Mmisters in time for consideration. It w to put practical men on the committees. Tho Statutes Revision Com'mittee, for example, contained ten lawyers out of twelve members. 5 ' Mr Ma-ssey ailed that no controversial iind 'legislation would be brought down by* the National Government. He had ~ot previously heard any objections to the constitution of the Lands CommittCSr. Thacker: I raised one last sesSl Mr. Massey: I thought we were a happy family. Dr. Thacker: No we aro not. Mr. Massey: Well, I am sorry you are not happy. You try to smile. . The discussion was continued in desultory fashion for half an hour. Tho Prime Minister added a Liberal member (Mr. Jennings) to the Lands Committee.