THE GREY SEAT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1815, 18 April 1918, Page 3

THE GREY SEAT.

NO LEAVE OF ABSENCE. When Sir Joseph Ward was giving his farewell words after the reading of an important message in the House of Representatives on Monday night, on the Avar situation, three Labour members, Messrs Walker, Payne, and M’Combs, had their heads together in close consultation. It seemed that a tinal effort would’ be made on behalf of Mr Webb. Mr Payne, on the motion for the adjournment, was granted leave to move for leave of absence of Grey’s member. He urged that this should be given as “an act of grace.” The motion ■ was rejected by a strong chorus of noes. The ayes, barely audible, did not press for a division.

In accordance with section 30, sub-section a, of the Legislature Act, Mr Webb’s seat must become vacant. The text of the provision (covering the House of Representatives) is:—“The seat of any member of Parliament shall become vacant if fpr one whole session of the General Assembly he fails, without permission of the House, to give his attendance in the House.” VACANCY INEVITABLE. Persons who are considering whether a technicality may hold the Grey ground for Mr Webb can have the assurance that the seat must become vacant, in accordance with the Legislature Act, says the Post. Though the session has practically ended, it continues until it is formally prorogued by the GovernorGeneral. The proclamation for this purpose will be gazetted soon. Therefore, though Mr Webb, in the strict letter of the law, has not yet been absent for a complete session, it can be taken for granted that tho completeness will lie definite soon. Then the scat will be forfeited, and procedure will be taken for another election, just as if a vacancy had occurred by death, bankruptcy, or other cause. The Prime Minister states (lint: he believes that the Webb ease (absence without leave during a whole session) is unique in the history of (he House of Representatives, but that similar eases have happened with the Legislative Council, and tho .-eats of the absentees became vacant, in aeeordanee with the Act.