THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19725, 16 September 1929, Page 9

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

— <*X MB* UJOJOOXM MlMl WELLINGTON, September M. Whan oh recalls the fisres aad protracted battles over the first Item of the Estimate* i* bygone days, the speed and amiability with which it wu amine 1 last week was woaierfuL The Ministers had a holiday, for the Prime Miaister took on all thsir portfolios himseLf, and answered all enquiries sad objections. The Parliamentary staff eame in for mack praise, merited, for it is most efficient and obliging. In the past rears many ef the messengers seemed to be octogenarians, very feeble and slow. One, in the ballroom that was occupied as the House, used, when the women bad an gone from their seata at the back, to gather several of the red velvet cushions, arrange them on the hot pipes, and settle down to sleep. But that was a delightfully unconventional time. So close were the women to the members that a wife could tap her husband on the shoulder as she went out, and tell Kim to eorae boms soon. The members, too, when the spirit moved them, would go aad sit beside the women and have a little chat.

Tie Estimates for Native Affairs passed through quietly on Tuesday, Sir Apiraua Ngata being an ideal Minister in charge, explanatory, suave, and at times humorous. The prevalence of ragwort, that noxious weed whose lovely golden blossom contrasts so exquisitely with the brouse and amber of the teatree on the basks of the Tongariro, was one of the chief topics, and there was much lamentation over its riotous profusion, especially on Maori lands. This brought Tan Henare to his feet, and in his delightful voice he said that the Pakeha had brought the noxious weeds and should take them away. * * *

Tan Henare, of bigh lineage, lima ideas fitted to a great chief- la the House he is cot talkative, like his compatriot opposite, Makitasara, but in conversation he is most interesting. When ha first came into the Hoove he refused to play billiards. He said he had promised his mother when be was quite a youth, that ho would not play, and tie pledge of a Maori chief is binding always. Urged again and again, he at last wrote to his mother, who gave him permission to break his pledge. In faee of all the talk of promises not fulfilled that we have heard of late, this is a fine example to the pakeha.

* * * One supposes that in the erowdtd galleries, there are many admirers of our politicians, but their appreciation does not take concrete form as it did in the olden days. Then it was not at all uncommon for messengers to bring to blushing members bouquets swathed in tissue paper, which, undone, showed beautiful blossoms. Mr Piraita got such a tribute onee, and ton away the paper. Inside was a large cabbage! After that no parcels were allowed to be brought into the Chamber. One is not sure whether the rule applies to the galleries. At any rate ladies have to leave their umbrellas outside, perhaps because in a moment of wrath or excits merit they might be used as missiles.

Tuesday evening was ealm, and the Minister for Defence, who, in the absence of Sir Joseph, laid up with a alight attack of influenza, was i* the Leader's seat, proved an efficient pilot for his own Estimates. The AucUanA men were indignant at the ammunition dnjnp at Devonport—only 800 tons, they were assured, stored —but even then they were not satisfied. They got very little eomfort from the Government, but those who recall the Silvertown explosion, can sympathise with their fears.

After all, the Estimates that wera puttd on Tuesday wera improperly i* troduoed, for the law enacts that, b«fora consideration, they nut be submitted to the Public Aceouate Committee, ud so far, that body has nerer met. However, the Government mi let off tht« tim« on promising nircr to !• it again. Tha Defence Minister ia taetful ud enthusiastic, especially over »riation. Tlia anal dennneintions of (uf life and military eefviee earn from Labour; indeed there were pMpoaals to abolish it altogether aad wnitut re* qoMti te nisei the vote.

The dilatoriness of the Government in the unemployment pseblaai waa tha theme «f earnest diaeaastoa on Wedneaday. Party did sot aaam to enter into the debate. Indeed, Mr Fletcher, a Government sopporter, roundly declared his decision to walk aeroaa tie fleer If Minlstara did asl face the position. Tmly, to urge ae the Hon. Mr Vorbes did that harried lagMlatisi. waa folly, «ta men and womb am starving, fINH abearf if art beartlaas. Tv» jTM»Un emaaatod ftwi Xt fraaer's Unemployed Workers Bill, and, although it has no ehenoe of baaeawiag law, it C*** ■«!■■■»■■ ef interacting Mr Saaaal spoke forcibly on tha aiaatlea ef the unemployed. And, after all, thoogh it was out of oider, being a assae? BED intradneed by a private member, the Minister for Justice, by a unanimoaa rote of tha Hosae which allows tfci* rafaoed It to the Laboar Bills Cammlttaa It ie an extraordinary position—a Bill oat of order referred to a Committee by t There waa amh agitation around Mr Fletcher before be made Me passionate protest, and the Ooimaiif Whips Beamed to be osing maeh persoasive eloqaenee. Ona cannot help admiring tha aenraga and eansetaees ef Mr F&toh«r, and it wffl be a pity if be waters down bis righteous iattgaatiea. Zmpreasire, too, though not so important, beeanee he la a labour man, was the protest of Mr Barnard, who was wearied of the delay of the Government. He bad no wiiih to threaten, he said, but he did not ehooee to atay ia the House if things went on as they wera doing. He waned the Goverament if it did not show owe earnestness that members would bare to eonaider withdrawing* their support. This feeling is general outside Parliament, and one beers constant comments en the waato ef time and money. Someone has dubbed it the Taihoa Parliament.

Lawyers, of whom there are many i> the House, were at loggerheads n Thursday, when Mr Wilford's Aviation Bill mi in Committee. The Minister and Mr Lynuur flatly contradicted each other, and the galleries marvelled at the "legal lights that throw a shadow over affairs." Several men, led by Mr Lysnar, in a battle-breathing mood, were afraid, and rightly, of encroachment on reserves as landing places for aeroplanes. It seemed a difficult Bill to draw op, and as difficult to understand, and members got into a weird tangle, though the Minister was anxious to meet objections. Captain Bash worth appealed to the Committee "to give a leg on" to the first constructive measure brought down by the Government. Tke chairman had aa uneasy time. The Bill, altered in various points and shorn of the distasteful "reserves" clause, was through Committee by 10.30.

The new Standing Orders are not considered a sneeess, and some think that a reversion to the old ways will be necessary. By taking Friday morning for Hobs* sittings, the time for Committees is lessened, and by giving Friday evening and enabling men to get off till Tuesday it is not easy to get & quorum on that morning. The Labour IjMdar declared that he would oppose every motion, except in eases of ex treme urgency, to allow Committees to szi while tha Souse fa sitting.