THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1922, Page 1

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

TEACHERS SUPERANNUATION BILL. ILSTRAMAN AND N.Z. CABLE ABSOCI ATI«' T , LONDON, May 16. In the House of Commons the Government were defeated by three votes (151 to 148) in a division on the Teachers’ Superannuation Bill in which the Government propsed to enforce a conti ibution by tlie teachers towards their pensions.

The defeat of the Government was an unexpected one. A member after the divison moved the adjournment, hut it is not anticipated that the Ministry w ill resign.

The quite unexpected defeat of the Government has caused excitement in the lobbies and in the political clubs. The resignation is expected of the Minister of Education, the lit. Hon Mr Fisher.

The resignation of the Government is unlikely though it is possible. 'Hie reason a Cabinet resignation is possible is that the defeat has arisen from nil effort to givt: effect to the re. port of the Geddes Committee in favour of economy.

- During the debate on the second reading of the measure, namely the Teachers Superannuation Bill, the National Union of Teachers, which has a considerable voting power in the House of Commons, proved unexpectedly active. There was so much lobbying, that the Government, scenting danger had issued a three-line whip for the debate, which ordinarily would not attract 50 members.

The Bill proposed that the teachers should contribute 5 per cent of their salaries towards their pension, thus saving 02.300,090 annually. The Education Minister (Mr Fisher) argued the necessity for economy. He showed that the salaries for teachers have increased by. 150 per cent in the last live years, and that their pension has been trebled. Several of the Labour members and other opponents of the proposal then claimed that a bargain had been made with the teachers, and that any reduction in the pension would he a broach of the honour of the House of Commons which had agreed to the bargain. Mr Fisher and Air Chamberlain denied that any bargain had been made when the teachers's salaries had been fixed by the Burnham Committee. The excitemeii increased when Lord Robert Cecil moved the adjournment. Mr Chamberlain refused to accept the motion.

It was now evident that the opposi. tion to the Government’s proposal is gathering strength. It is evident the “Die Hards”, the Coalition-Liberals, and a number of the Conservatives would he allied with tlu* Labour members on the question of the adjournment.

There was a sensation when Sir F. .loynson-llicks and Major K. Gray (two Conservatives) who acted as tellers, returned from the lobby and took up their position on the right of the table, with the Government whips •on . their left. There then arose a mighty cheer f,om the Opposition, and louil shouts of • Resign !”

When sir F. Joynson-Hicks aoad the figures showing that the Government were in a minority of three, Air Ciiambei lain, who was greeted with cries of “Get out your election addresses,” then immediately moved the adjournment of the House. The Cabinet will hold a meeting to. monow to decide what action the Government will take .

Tee general impression is that the Government blundered “in allow ing a division to he taken two hours before the time mentioned in their three-line whip. It is also considered that the lit. Hon. Mr Fisher is unpopular with the Conservatives; and is an unconvincing debater. Nevertheless there are shrewd politicians who think that Air Chamberlain purposely risked the defeat, as lie can now fairly claim that the Government are doing their best to economise, hut that n combination of the Opposition, obedient to the pressure of the teachers’ votes, has thwarted their efforts.

Moreover -Mr 1.10.vil George may take the double, event of. this defeat in the House of Commons and the set-back id (Jenna, owing to America’s refusal to attend at The Hague, as an occasion for liis retirement, aiul may go in search of rest, which he badly needs.