APPLES AND LEMONS AS EXHIBITS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 268, 7 August 1943, Page 4

APPLES AND LEMONS AS EXHIBITS

Domestic Atmosphere In House MEMBERS AS SHOPPERS With bags of apples and lemons strewn over the benches of several members, the House of Representatives assumed quite a domestic appearance yesterday afternoon. This homely atmosphere was further enhanced in the discussion that followed the presentation of tile Internal Marketing Department’s estimates, in which the prices of fruit and vegetables were keenly debated.

Fruit just appeared when Mr. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo) produced three small Stumer apples from his pocket to exhibit the type of fruit being served to members in Bellamy’s. That something of this nature had been foreseen by the Minister of Marketing, Mr. Barclay, was suggested when, to the amusement of the House, he produced a large rosy apple. He carried his counter-measures a stage further by tipping open a paper bag and displaying 14 medium-sized apples which he announced he had purchased in a nearby shop for sixpence. The Minister added to the display by depositing on his table a bag containing a dozen lemons. This gave members a further opportunity to exchange witticisms.

Meanwhile Mr. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga) had slipped out of the House, presently to return. He announced that he had called at a neighbouring fruiterer’s and also had bought apples. He told members that he had asked the girl behind the counter to let him have as many as he could buy for sixpence, the smaller the better, so that he could obtain as many as possible. When he asked her- how many it would be she had answered that it “all depended.” Amid laughter Mr. Doidge related how he had said to the shop girl, “.Suppose I said I was the Minister of Marketing how many would I get then?” She had answered, "You should not ask me an intimate question like that.” (Loud laughter). Mr. Doidge said he had obtained five apples for his sixpence. Mr. Barclay: But yours are Delicious and mine are Stunners (Laughter). Later Mr. Massey (Opposition, Franklin) said that the Minister must have bought second-grade apples, Mr. Barclay: They are commercial grade. A noteworthy feature of the interlude was that none of the four women members in the House participated in the discussion. They contented themselves with the role.of amused onlookers at male attempts a t shopping.