Parliamentary Banter.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 698, 20 October 1909, Page 5

Parliamentary Banter.

There has been some goodhumored raillery since the debate on the Address-in-Reply opened. Sir Joseph got oft* some effective banter at the expense of the Opposition's composite character, and the leavening of Socialism that was at work. "Look out for the latest addition to the Opposition ranks " was his advice to4;he Leader of that party. "Just before the last election," he said, "he was a land nationaliser, and moreover he said he was prepared to go for the nationalising of certain industries." Members turned their eyes on " the : Opposition baby," and Mr Fisher challenged Sir Joseph to produce the statement. "Be careful," con tinued the Prime Minister, " about j the member for Stratford, Mr Dive, ! though he is not Socialistic except ! when it effects co-operative workers." Sir Joseph added that the . Opposition had lost that amiable, genteel, facile representative Mr J G. W. Aitken, a great Leaseholder, while that very afternoon MiAnderson had been called on to defend himself against a charge of Socialism. Sir Joseph capped the list of doubtful characters that Mr Massey had to look after by ex- ! pressing doubts as to the soundness lof even Mr Hardy's beliefs. But I the best of all his sallies were at Mr Allen's expense. The member for Bruce complained that Sir Joseh ] had misquoted his figures. The j Prime Minister replied that he had ! got them from the Conservative j paper's report* of a speech % Allen 1 had made in Qtago. Mr Allen j rejoined that the pa.per had made j an obvious mistake over his figures, ! and Mr W. Fraser thought to help : his colleague by interjecting : " Add : them up, and you'll see they won't j add up right." " 1 never knew the : lion gentleman's figures to add up right yet," said the Rrinie tyiqister. —Star.