PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 202, 9 June 1914, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

Another Successful Night.

Notwithstanding the severity of the weather some 44 members were in attendance at tha Parliamentary Union, at the Oddfellows' hall, Pukekohe, on 'lhursday evenirg. It was at once seen that the parties were evenly divided, there being about 15 Government, 15 opposition, and 14 on the indapendent benches. The Gove.nor (Mr A. B. Barter) delivered the Speech from the Throne, which embraced the policy previously laid down by the Prime Minister (Mr E Allan). Mr J. A. Comrie was unanimously selected as Speaker. Tha Premier announced tha composition of his Cabinet as follows: Prime Minister, Lands, Agriculture, State Forests—Mr E. Allan. Finance, D?ftnce, Advances Office, Land Brd Income Tax—Mr A. Grigor. Railways—Mr J. T. Stembridge. Public Works—Mr Fred Souster. Public Health, Hospitals, Internal Affairs—Dr Wake. Education and Justice—Rev. S. Nixon. Labour, Valuation Department, Customs—Mr E. Piggot. Postmaster - General —Mr F. E. Simpson. Native Lands-Mr J. H. Webb. Tourist Department and Immigration—Miss Ramsay. After formal congratulations a number of questions were asked and created much interest. Mr B. H. Andrevf moved the Address-in-Reply and was seconded by Mr Woollett. During the debate which followed the Oppo?ition wanted to know who the Independents were, what their policy was and who was their leader. The replies were to the effect that they were leaderles*, all being independent units. To teßt the position the Leader of the Opposition CMr R. J. Lames) moved ar amendment to theAddrese-in-Reply expressing no-confidencs in the Government. Mr F. Brown seconded. A spirited debate followed, in which many members took part. Several ot the independents declared aeainit the Government, but said at this stage they were not prepared to vote them out of office. The result was a block vote of the Independents for the Government, and the voting for the amendment was: Government 29 Opposition 15 As soon as the vote was taken the Independents went back to the cross benches, leaving the piitiea as they were at the beginning. Everybody appeared to have a thoroughly enjoyable time, a large number •of interested spectators (the public are welcome and are admitted tree) stayed to the close of the debate. The Premier announced that a Railways Bill and possibly an Education Bill would be introduced at the next Bession, a fortnight hence.