BALAAM'S ASS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 164, 13 July 1928, Page 9

BALAAM'S ASS.

TURNED TO ADVANTAGE.

MR. BARTRAM HITS BACK A WITTY RETORT. fßy Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Xo pains were spared by Mr. Bartram (Grev Lynn), in the House to-day, to reply to Mr. Allen Bell (Bay of Islandsi, whoVsrorpd at his expense last week. Judging by the degree of merriment aroused, the Labour member certainly laughed last and longest. Last week, when Mr. Bell was seconding a motion, "That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency," he said conditions in New Zealand to-day were altogether different from what thev were 30 years ago, when wages were only 6/ a day. Mr. Bart ram then interjected, "Ah, that is what yon want." Mr. Bell denied this, but said that when he heard that voice from his friend on his right he could not help fancying that just such a sound was emitted from that ancient,' historic and hirsute unimul owned bT Balaam Mr. Bartram this afternoon worked up to a witty retort by developing an argument showing that the old Liberal Government was responsible for the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration legislation. It was introduced, he said, with a view to preserving a living standard for workers and avoiding industrial disputes. The beneficent operation of that Act had always been opposed by Reform. Whenever Reform was strong, then wages were low and conditions bad in country districts. Mr. Bell had said that there could be no progieca unless preference to unionists was eliaiinated. It seemed that Mr. Bell was not so much concerned with the sound-of Balaam's animal a? he •was with the fact that it had kicked him on a very tender spot. If Mr. Bell consulted, the Bible he would find in Xumbers 22 and 24 a description of the ass. which on that occa.-ion 'was made a vehicle of divine wisdom. After the ass had spoken Balaam's eyes were opened. He turned from his wayward path and repented of the error of his ways. r - Bartram trusted that the member for the Bay «f Islands would go home and do likewjaa. (Prolonged laughter.)