PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1921, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

-Mil WI'I.KOIi l)'S A.M K.\'|)-M KXT. LOST BY (18 to 20. (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) 11*1“ House resumed the debate on the Address-in-Rcply and the Liberal want of i onlidenee motion early this .atteruoon. Ihe speeches made by half a dozen members did not break much new ground and a division was reached at 11..10 p.m. This resulted in flu* defeat ol Mr Willord’s motion bv *l,B votes to 20 with eight members paired on eaeli side. The d.a'hour members voted with the Liberals. The division was a fair trial of strength, since the votes and pairs accounted for seventy live members including the Speaker. Hon A. M. Myers (Liberal) has resigned, and Mr Vigor Drown (Independent Liberal) and Mr Statliam (Lender of the ni’w Party abstained from voting. The members who voted for Mr Wilford's motion were Hartram. Kdie Forbes. Holland. Horn. Howard. Isitt, Kellbtt, .Me.C'omhs, Masters. Poland, Seddoti. Sidev. Smith I!. W.. Smith S. (!.. Sollivan. Ycitcli. Willord. Witty. Pairs for ■—Ngata. Mc(’alh:ui. .lennings. Fraser. Parry, Savage. Hamm, Thacker.

Alter the division, tic debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Holland who "ill have an opportunity to move his want of tontideiuv motion.

The division on this motion is likely Li He reached during the day. and the way "ill then he clear lor the termination ol the iliiaite which ali'.id.i has occupied six days. Mr Massey is waiting for an oppor tunity to make an important statement covering his work in London. MR sF. 1)1)1 IN'S SPEECH.

Speaking in tlm House. Mr Seildon (Westland.) emphasised the need for electoral reform. A promise had been given that something should he put in place of tie old second bnllot. but nothing was furthcoming. The present representation in the House did not lolly relied the telative polling strength ~f (he parties at last election. Could the Prime Minister, before imxl election. do something in tin' "'“.v "I ' total reform to replace the present hist past the post system, which had been fair enough when there were only two parlies in the held, hut "as quite tufa ir in the present stale of parties. He believed that the Prime Ministers ol the Empire ought to meet frequently. I, n t arrangements should be made to ~„.,|,|e Parliament to early on during the absence of the I’rime Munster Mr Seddon asked the Munster o Public Works to have Otira Tunnel completed as soon as possible, lie also upheld tin- claims of the returned m - dil l's for im-reaced pensions.