TALK OF SLEEP.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 20

TALK OF SLEEP.

REFORM MEMBERS HURT.

HOT WORDS XX HOUSE.

MANY HOURS WAfeTED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. There was indignation in the Reform camp in the House last night when Mr. Lee (Auckland East), said the members of the Opposition were accustomed to speaking to an accompaniment of loud Reform snores. "Indeed," said Mr. Lee, "if that accompaniment of snores to cease it might seem to us that the Reform party was extinct. Reform members find it just as easy to sleep 011 their benches as they do in their beds, lo that it is easy for them to ccne back fresh next morning for committee work.'' Sir. Lee said it was grossly unfair to blame Labour for prolonging the debates. He read from lists compiled from Hansard to show that on occasions there were strings of speakers not one of whom was a Labour member. It was like a pot of boiled rice without a single raisin. Mr. Harris (Waitcmata) objected to this speech, whereat Mr. Potter interjected. # "Oh, the member for Auckland East talks in his sleep."

Mr. Harris said Keform members didn't neglect their duty. Mr. Armstrong (Christchurch East) wondered why Parliament—the most Important business in the country —could not be run on businesslike lines.

Mr. Lysnar (Gisborne): How would you run it, Mr. Armstrong? If I couldn't run it better than you I'd go and die. Mr. Eraser (Wellington Central) said it was all very well for the member for Waitemata to become righteously indignant about Mr. Lee's remarks, but what was said was true enough. Reformers did go to sleep. He (Mr. Fraser) did not know whether the member for Waitemata ever went to sleep in the House, but there were occasions when Mr. Harris might as well be asleep. (Laughter). Mr. Harris rose again to deplore the attitude adopted by Labour Members in their references to sleeping members. Mr. Lee: They neglect their duty all light.

Mr. Harris said members had become exhausted from time to time owing to protracted sittings, but they did not neglect their work. Mr. Lee: I sav that a Tory asleep is a less calamity than a Tory awake.

Mr. McCombs said there had been many occasions when important legislation had gone through while Reform Members slept on their benches. Keform cries: And what about yourself ?

Mr. McCombs: Labour Members are so few in number that they cannot go to sleep; it is rarely indeed that Opposition members are seen asleep.

Comfort for the Sleepers,

Mr. McCombs remembered an occasion when it was suggested on a late sitting that the lights be lowered so that Reform members might sleep, and, in the bigness of their hearts, Labour meinbera lowered the tone of their voices. He recalled, too, that on another occasion he had risen to speak for the committee limit of ten minutes, but the chairman, nodding to sleep in the armchair, had allowed him to proceed for seventeen minutes.

Mr. Hockly (chairman of committees): Order. The honourable member will resume his seat. He must not bring the name of the chairman into the debate in any way. (Laughter).

The Hon. A. D. McLood said it would be more enjoyable for Reform members to sleep every time the member for Auckland East rose to speak.

Mr. Let: Ah, I keep you awake. Mr. McLeod: There is not a ray of intelligence in what the honourable member says in debates. The Leader of the Opposition: Are you complaining that he keeps you awake? Mr. McLeod: We have heard of tinkling cymbals and sornding brass, but he is sounding tin. Mr. Howard (Christchurch South) said tho Minister of Lands would not say such things in his more gentlemanly moments. There had been occasions when the Minister had congratulated the member for Auckland East.

Mr. Glenn (Rangitikei) said -Labour dope was often bo good that it was like chloroform and sent Reform members to sleep. Mr. Lee Trounces Minister. At the first opportunity Mr. Lee jumped to his feet and launched a retaliatory attack on the Minister of Lands. "The Minister generally does go to sleep," said Mr. Lee, "but not this time. During the last few days, I've been told by ten or eleven Reform members that I have been indulging in discreditable attacks on Reform, and now the Minister of Lands pays me the compliment of saying that I keep Reform members awake. The Minister is like Rip Van Winkle, who went to sleep for a lifetime and was not missed- If Reform went to sleep for a political lifetime they would not be missed by the country. However, as long as they are here I shall keep them awake. Anyhow, the Minister of Lands is the dullest, dreariest, stodgiest, most sterile and unimaginative Minister in the Reform Cabinet, despite the tremendous wall of stodge he puts up. I am proud of the tribute he pays me when he says I keep this sleepv Government awake." Mr. Mc'Keen (Wellington South), in his vigorous condemnation of long hours, referred to the fact that messengers were not paid extra. In an excess of enthusiasm he called them "poor devils," but had to withdraw this unparliamentary expression. Mr. Glenn (Rangitikei) objected to Mr. McKeen misrepresenting the position: "Stick to facts. I ask him not to state facts which are contrary." (Loud laughter). Mr. Forbes wondered why anyone was perturbed over being accused of sleeping in Parliament. It was a sign of an untroubled conscience. (Hear, hear).

Telegraph rates are too high to send more of such nonsense, but the night in Parliament was as entertaining as a vaudeville show.