THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19719, 9 September 1929, Page 9

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

jwacmxr waiTißK roa iu raws.) [By Mks Malcolm Ross.J There is some surprise expressed over Mr Samuel's bringing his complaint before the House. But all that is said in the House or its lobbies is privileged, and the deadlies* insult could net be a matter for legal redress. Therefore Mr Samuel, if he felt aggrieved, had no other way to air bis complaint. The episoda is not yet over, for it has been referred to a Committee of Privilege. Mr Samuel made an eloquent speech on Wednesday defending his position, aad it was thought the dinner interval would bring about a truce. .Some of the Labour men. had p. vote been taken, might have gone with the Government, for they deprecated tho waste of time, though it is eertain they eould not have approved of the attitude of the Minister. * ■* * -dr Fraser on Tuesday night «x----pressed the attitude of Labour ia regard to the Budget. It is a case of "not that I loved C«sar less, but that I loved Rome more." Reform must not occupy the Government benches, and so, while they agree with the taxation proposals, they accept the distasteful primage, hoping the Prime Minister will substitute for it something less drastic. Here's hoping! * * The limits of Parliamentary phraseology are curious. The other day a man used the term "spleen," a good old-fashioned word. It was disallowed, and he substituted vindictive, which, to the ordinary mind, sounds worse. As regards the roundabout ways you may in Parliament call a man a liar, they are many. If yon have time you can accuse him of terminological inexactitude, or you may say—as has been done this session—that he is a political Ananias, bat you will be pulled up if you use the straightforward expression. Newcomers to the Galleries are often surprised to hear "Order!" from the Speaker when there is no interruption. Members most address the Chair, and therefore the familiar second person, singular or plural, is not allowed. New men art apt to forget this, and have to be ealled to order. Mr Speaker's job is a strenuous one, for he has to listen all the time, with none of the little respites and distractions that ordinary members may enjoy. # * * The first item of the Estimates went through on Thursday evening to the surprise of many, for usually there ii a lons rW>nt- on this. But Sir Joseph was so conciliatory and so willing to meet members that the debate was of the mildest and dullest, about slot telephones and rural postal services. * * * One of the very few divisions this session took place on Thursday, when Mr Fraser moved that a report, concerning an Auckland man whose bank book had been stolen and his name forged, should be sent baek for further consideration. The man was asked to pay £42 as extradition fees, which Labour alleged should be paid by the Post and Telegraph Department, who owned that the forgery was a clumsv one. The motion was lost, but the protest had been made. * * * The week ended with a debate on the Samoan Report, for the fiery speeches of Labour. Sir Api rana Ngata's words were wise, and his viewpoint of the situation —that of a Polynesian—was most interesting.