CONFIDENCE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 February 1912, Page 3

CONFIDENCE

— » in the übs.r&l party. Mil MASSEY'S AMENDMENT DEFEATED. ir&U IHXl'.'Sn *\PM>H X'ltliU . i WELLINGTON, February 27. lllie Division on Mr Massey's amendment to the Address-in-Reply "that His Excellency's Advisers do not possess the confidence of this House" was taken at midnight. The motion was defeated on the vote of tho Speaker. Sir Arthur Guinness." DIVISION LIST. Tho following is Uie division list on Mr Matssey's amendment: — Ayes (JiJ)).—Alien, Anderson, Bell, J. Blolard, R, F. Bollard, Bradney, Buchanan, ihiick, Campbell, Dickson, Escott, Fislior ,Fraser, Guthrie (teller), Herries, Ilerdnian, Harris, Hine, Hunter, Lang, Lcc, Malcolm, Maunder, Massoy, A. K. Newman, E. Xewniian, Nosworthy, Oke.v, Pearce, Pomare ,11. 11. Rhodes (teller), Scott, F. H. Smith, Stn-tham, Sykc.s G. M. Thomson, Veitch, Wilson, Young. Noes (39).— Atmnrp, Brown, Biuldo, Buxton, Carroll, Clark, Coatos, Colvin, Craigie. Davoy, Dickie, FJI (teller), Forbes Glover Hr.nnn, Hindmarsh, Jsitt, Lnnronsnii, McCallum, ■MacDonnld (teller), T. McKenzie. R. McKenzie, Miller, Myers, Ngata, Piiratn, Payne, Poland, Naugihiroa, Reed, T. W. Rhodes, Robertson, Russell, Seddon, Sidny, R. W. Smith, J. C. Thomson, Ward, Witty. EXCITEMENT INTENSE. OTAKI'S AND NELSON'S MEMBERS VOTE WITH THE GOVERNMENT. The excitement in the House has been intense to-day. Quite early in the afternoon tho debate took a turn from the marking time conditions of yesterday, and tihe men whose attitude really mattered took up theiF parable and it was felt that the division was rapidly approaching. First came Mr Vcitcli, who spoke with admirable deliberation in a clear review of tho conditions of the country from tho Labour point ol view, but appeared studiously to avoid committing himself to a definite decision of his intended course of action. The general impression that he conveyed, however, was that his vote would be cast in the Opposition lobby. Succeeding him came Mr Robertson, who left no doubt that he would be found on the side of tho Government. Next came Mr Atmore, who has been tho subject of marked attention from both parties for days and has in the meantime been as mysterious in his demeanour as the Spirynx. Nor did hie speech contain any de- I finite pronouncement us to his vot<e j save that he distinctly iaid down the ! terms as regards legislation on which J he will support the Opposition. V. While he did not expiioitly commit j hmitseir the Opposition are juDiiant- | ly calculating upon his j As x-he debate continued tiio excitement grew and it rose to lever heat when at Li.uo tne division wa& I taken on tiie stroke oi nuduight. -Wi Aainore, on wnom the late of the Government depended, was tho cynosure of all eyes. He gianced towards the Opposition rauiis and alter apparent,- UeuOurawou walked with bir Joseph niio tne Go veinluenD louuy. xjis ueitctio-u came us j a itiu Lo tile uppuaitiU'i, who j iiud Uuuu conniing ou ins support. Alter me uivisiou mi' jiaaacy euugi'iituuituu ibir \\ aiu and saiu unit it liad oc'uii a gouu ngm. lie added iliai m±i iiaio a division was taken n vvouiu not Lie won on thu casting vote oi tne opuaker, opinion in which cur Juoi'pu Ward heartily concurieu. itie i'lcniior uianked Air Alassoy for his congratulation*, aud auid that tne country wouHi never regret having beeu rescued from tho claws of uia vultures. The Huuse adjourned at il.io, i until Thursday at 2.30. | j Mil KOBERIJSOiN SPEAKS. | i AND EXPLAINS Rl6 POSITION. On resinning at 7.30 Mr Robert- ' son said he desired to make his posi- i' tion clear in regard to his pledges. He denied giving a pledge to those '■■ simply opposed to the Government. ! He had said he would assist to overthrow t/he administration, but had ■ stated he was just as strongly op- '' posed to the Jiassey party. Tho j ' no-confidence motion was not simply ( to turn out the Ward Government, but put Mr Massey in power. Hβ would never assist in doing this. He j ! was in a position that he must keep ; the spirit or break the letter of his t { pledge or vice versa. He chose to ; break the letter and keep the spirit < of the pledge. After consideration of the various factors he could not ' assist in giving a new lease of life to ! the Massey party. Tho country j J looked for a load from the party in [ power. i { Mr Robertson concluded his speech 1 with a long statement regarding the attitude he intended to take up in the forthcoming division. He ' had never given any pledge to, nor endeavoured to secr.ro the rote of, those wiho were merely opposed to ' the Government. Whatever pledgee he gave to his constituents were given for the first time on August 20, over three months before tho election came on, and when the matter of one's pledge in a> division such as this could not shave had any power on a candidate's chances what ever. MR ATM6EE T S POSITION. ' i Mr Atmore said he came into tho ' House a free man. Hβ had refused 5 nomination by both .parties and stood 3 as an Independent.