FROM THE LADIES' GALLERY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1204, 12 August 1911, Page 10

FROM THE LADIES' GALLERY.

[By Jessy Wbkn.]

RANDOM NOTES.

How little Parliament changes in its 1 ways, and even in its members. Tho same old bickering, tho same old wordiness, tho same old partisanship, and tho same—fineness, shall one say?—of behaviour. Yesterday, to-day, even a hundred years henco—it will probably go on in tho same, old way, and those outside will, as .now, Mipincfy wonder how it was that some of tho talkers got there, what abberralion seized tho electors at the important time, what, were the inducements that placed them there? It takes so very much effort, and so very many years, to change things sometimes, even in this venturesome, self-assertive, and somewhat strangely-culled "progressive country." What one of lis docs not believe that his country leads the world in nil things, from legislation to fin© manners?

As yet thcro seem to bo no signs of turmoil or stress of work, 'and members are very Teatty lo seize upon every possibiltity of a joke anil every opportunity for chaffing one another. Stormy seas will come soon enough, but, for tho present, all is well, or fairly well. Even the discussion of the 31'okatt complication, and llio preposterous committee insisted upon by Sir- .Tames CamJl—a. couuuilteo of twelve, out of whom' nine are thoso of whom it might bo said, "Thoir's not to question why—their's but t<, do and dio"— tor the Government—whilo tho other three arc Oppositionists—did not rouse such heat as might havo been imagined. It sounds like comic opera, and like most comic opera, is anything but clover.

The outstanding subject of tho week in the matter of discussion wns the Public. Service Bill—but who could imagine tho Government allowing such power to slip out of their'hands? As the member responsible for tho Kill.said: "If the Archangel Michael himself' were to' place the. wisest, most beneficent. Bill that coukl bo devised lief ore them, they would reject it." It was somewhat-complimentary on tho part of a member on the oppositn side of tho House to call out: "Jlo would be on the side of the Opposition." ■ — At one time it seemed as though rather nn interesting discussion,.or rather argument, would take place towards the cud of tho. afternoon yesterday, when matters concerning tho defence regulations wore tout'hed .lipoid It" wiis'suggested by--member that rtn afternoon or evening should bo set ,asklo for discussing these regulation.-', for they were of vital interest to the Dominion, 'ind thorawere— it was thought—some that would meet with anything but approval. So far, continued the member, they had been merely marking time. This brought Mr. Fowlda to his feet with a great display of indignation. It showed the estimation in which tho honourable member held tho Town-Planning Bill—a most important Bill —nud 'severely was the s,peaker brought to task for so slandering this Bill •of supreme, importance. And so wo never hoard anything more of an afternoon or evening being set aside for dealing with tho defence regulations. The TownPlanning Bill was an effectual diversion. Has' tho leopard changed his spots? the wolf becoino the. lamb? Tho Hon. R. M'Kenzie smiles sernphicnlly now when ho becomes the target for sarcastic remarks concerning his benevolence and courtcousness, and, even when holding forth against a member of the opposite, side, ho Is quite pleasantly, mild! Thcro it so much that must bo wooed into' oblivion.