DEFEATED.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1922, Page 5

DEFEATED.

SET-BACK TO COALITION. CATCH VOTE IN COMMONS. SENSATION IN THE HOUSE. OUTCOME UNCERTAIN. JBy Telegraph.—Press A®n.—Copyright. London, May 16. After a debate in the House of Commons An the question whether teachers should contribute to their pensions, the Government, which favoured contribution, was defeated by 151 votes to 148. Mr. Austen Chamberlain (Leader of the House) moved the adjournment, which was carried. It is not expected that the Government will resign. Received May 17, 7.55 p.m. London, May 16. The unexpected defeat of the Government caused excitement in the lobbies and political clubs. The resignation of Mr. H. A. L. Fisher (President of the Board of Education) is expected. The resignation of the Government is unlikely, though it is possible, as the defeat has arisen from an effort to give effect to the report of the Geddes Committee. During the debate on the second reading of the Teachers’ Superannuation Bill, the National Union of Teachers, which has considerable voting power in the House of Commons, proved unexpectedly active, and there was so much lobbying that the Government, scenting danger, issued a three-line whip for the debate, which ordinarily would not attract 50 members. The Bill proposed that teachers should contribute 5 per cent, of their salaries towards their pensions, thug saving £2,300,000 annually. COMBINED OPPOSITION. Mr. Fisher argued the necessity for economy. He showed that salaries for ■teachers had increased 150 per cent, in five years, and the pension had been trebled. Several Labor members and other opponents then claimed that a bargain had been made with the teachers, and any reduction made was a breach of the honor of the House of Commons, Which agreed to the bargain. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Chamberlain denied that any bargain was made when teach- . era’ salaries were fixed by the Burnham . Committee. The excitement increased when Lord Robert Cecil moved the adjournment. Mr. Chamberlain refused to accept the motion. It was now evident that opposition to the Government proposal was gathering strength, and that the “die harda,” the Coalition-Liberals, and a number of Conservatives, would be allied with Labor members on the question of an adjournment. There was a sensation when Mr. Joynson Hicks and Major E. Gray (Conservatives), the tellers, returned, from the Lobby and took up a position on the right of the table, with the Government Whips on their left. There rose a mighty cheer from the Opposition, and loud shouts of “Resign!” When Mr. Joynson Hicks read figures showing that the Government was in a minority of three, Mr. Chamberlain, who was greeted with cries of “Get out your election addresses'” immediately moved the adjournment of the House. WILL PREMIER RETIRE? Cabinet will hold a meeting to-mor-row to decide what action the Government will take. The general impression is that the Government blundered in allowing a division to be taken two hours before the time mentioned in their threeline whip. It is also considered that Mr. Fisher is unpopular with the Conservatives, and is an unconvincing debater. Nevertheless, there are shrewd politicians who think Mr. Chamberlain purposely risked defeat, as he can now fairly claim that the Government is doing its best to economise; but the combination of the Opposition, obedient to the pressure of teachers' votes, thwarted their efforts. Moreover, Mr. Lloyd George may take the double event the defeat in the House of Commons and the setback at Genoa owing to America’s refusal to attend The Hague—as the occasion for his retirement and search of the rest he badly needs. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Amu.