THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 202, 23 February 1912, Page 4

THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

Mr. Sidey said in the House of Representatives yesterday that the present debate was destined to become one of the most important that had ever taken place in the New Zealand Parliament. At anyrate it is the most important debate indulged in during the past twentyone years, for upon its result depends the life of the present Government. The immediate outcome is not ?o difficult to foresee as the ultimate outcome. The Opposition have a solid voire of thirtyseven, added to which they have the vote of Dr. Pomare, whilst at least two of the Labor representatives will vote against the Government. Strong efforts are being made by the Labor people to induce Mr. Veitcli, Wanganui's member, to throw in his lot with the Government, or pair with Mr. Wilford, but it is hardly, likely. hewiH go back on his. definite pledge to vote against Sir Joseph Ward. The same may be said of Mr, Robertson (Gtaki), though many of his supporters, in the form of the flaxmill workers, decided at Palmerstou last night to release him from his pledge to oust the present Government, and ask him to support Sir Joseph Ward. The Government, on the other hand, cannot muster more than thirty-eight voters, even with the vote of Mr. Payne, who declared his intention iu the House last evening to support the Government in preference to the Oppose tion, whom he charged with leading him astray, and gave utterance to statements that are difficult to reconcile with his previous ravings. He doee not seem to have many settled convictions, one way or the otn«r, and will probably throw over the leader he now supports with the same celerity as the one he has just forsaken. Mr. Wilford is out of the country, and the Opposition, ungenerously, we think, will not pair with hfe vote; whilst Sir Arthur Guinness is in the ehair. The odds, therefore, are in favor of Mr. Massey winning in the trial of strength. Mr. Massey, however, will in turn be faced with the same difficulty as now confronts Sir Joseph* Ward. Whether Mr. Massey can placate the Laborites and Independents remains to be seen, but if he can for long we will be I vpry much surprised.