POLITICAL TOPICS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 53, 30 August 1913, Page 6

POLITICAL TOPICS

: NEWS AND NOTES ■"""" ■ t " FOR LADIES ONLY " "ROSES IN A SUMMER GARDEN." When the feasting was ovep and the "shouting of the captains" had died away in Bellamy's yesterday, members 'of the House 1 of Representatives moved next door to resume work. T^ie British Parliamentary party was present, and ,/fco the oversea ladies a Native member 'addressed a speech, oratoricalJy embellished, and studded with poetic metaphor. The speaker, Mr. C Parata, confesses that, in his opinion, the time was mosd opportune for such a display. He called upon the Native Minister (Dr. Pomare) to interpret — it was an auspicious beginning. I The member for Southern Maori led "off in his native tongue. Dr. Pomare it as follows : "Mr. Ohair"man, with regard to that portion of the jbuiklings known as Bellamy's— that portion of the House which honourable " members will remember has to do with ,tbe personal comforts of members. . ." Members and spectators leaned attentively on the words of the speaker, who passed a bouquet to the place of creature .comforte : "I would like to say that the way Bellamy's has been conducted J is a credit to those in charge." (Hear, "hear.) * Mr. Parata reached the hearts of ah 1 \ present when he noted that Bellamy's made no provision for " those individuals who, like the flowers of the field, beckon ,'to us. They are so beautiful in all their •aspects . . . the fair sex." Encouraged with cheers, the speaker continued : "And so I look around the and, behold, I see them (the like beautiful roses in a summer 'garden." Everybody, including the "roses," was 1 ;Well pleased. Most eloquently, most seriously, and ,yet most jocosely, the representative of Southern Maoris declared he would support the committee in charge of Bellamy|s in making sufficient provision for ladies who visited the House, where ,;they could discuss political procedure or ' private affairs. He stressed the urgency ♦of the question, and begged for the "sen- • ous > consideration of members" thereupon. "I would suggest to honourable members that if we are called away to 1 another world in which there are no la- • dies, it would be a very lonely place""— the interpreter (Dr. Pomare had been relieved at this) continued to do his duty bravely. Mr. Parata (according to the interpretation) ; "I will give you a famous saying—a proverb of the ancient Maoris: — 'The first thing for which a matt should be prepared to lay down his life is a jWoman.'" (Cheers). ''Mr. Chairman : The second thing a man should lay down his life for is his land." (More cheers.) "Mr. Ohairmanj : And thirdly, a man should be prepared to die for his home." (Applause). When the Native member concluded ■with an insistent plea for accommodation for the ladies who "came here and lent grace and dignity to this our Parliament," he was followed to his seat by »' generous applause.