Mr Ward's Seat.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 86, 8 October 1897, Page 3

Mr Ward's Seat.

o(Per Pre-is Association ) Wkllington, Oct. 7. The Privileges Committee will bring down a report to-morrow. Uis under, stood the report will recommend a Bill be introduced referri^ tbe question of Mr Ward's election to the Awarua seat to the Appelate Court. The rriviloßo Committee resolved today to recommend that the question as to whether Mr Ward is or is not a member of the House of Representatives be referto the Court of Appeal. The weak spot in the Government section of the Committee was Mr Montgomery, wlio it was believed was unfavorable to Mr Ward holding his seat. Had the Premier pressed the matter in favor of Mr Ward, Mr Montgomery would probably have voted with the three Opposition members in which case there would have been ;i tie, and the Hon. Mr Seddon could onl.v have carried it by his casting vote. Then the report would have had to come before the House, and there was great danger that the Government might, be placed in a difficulty through the members of the left wing voting against them. There will be general satisfaction at the decision to refer the question to the judges. The Premier will bring in tv short Bill to enable it to be clone, and also t,o make the law clearer as to the ineligibility of bankrupts to sit in future.