A GALLERY

Evening Star, Issue 20257, 19 August 1929, Page 3

A GALLERY

[Written bv*’ Alan Dale, for the ‘ livening Star.’] 14. MR W. J. BROADFOOT In a House which numbers over thirty new members Mr W. J. Broadfoot at once commands notice. Tho new member for Waitomo is a-small man, but he is as active and indefatigable as it is liossible for one to be. A directness of judgment and rare passion of conviction'—these are his, and he feels the truth of a statement with every fibre of his frame. Mr Broadfoot has had that invaluable training, a country law practice, and his nimble brain has benefited by it. He knows as much of land settlement as any member of his party. Ho has that_ rare thing, an open and inquiring mind. Ever ready to learn, modifying his opinions in a Hash if there is reason, Mr Broadfoot will never grow old. He was and is ono of the most outspoken members of his party. His convictions are founded on study of the country’s needs, and he is convinced that action is all important and that this is no moment for playing safe. His voice, sharp and intense, carries conviction. His first long speech in the House, a plea for’ intelligent government of industry, was voted in some circles academic: but it hold more study and thought than the total efforts of some members in a session. Here is a man who very possibly may bold Cabinet rank. It will be a new and, disconcerting type, too, this Minister, with his sharp eyes, darting mind, small figure, and consuming energy. Impatient of the usual weavings, it will rush straight to the issue. A problem is likely to bo settled as soon as it is explained. One wonders what bewilderment will greet that day when despatch takes the place of deliberation. 15. MR R. SEMPLE Mr Robert Semple is the gentleman who shared Mr H. E. Holland’s ->bloquy in long years past when the Government of the day disagreed with his opinions on the strike qnesion, and it was Mr Semple who saluted Mr Holland’s victory in the parliamentary field with. “ We walk out of your orisons into your Parliaments.” Well, a lot of contracts have been let since then, and Mr Semple is not what he was. A shrewd, energetic, industrious man, he has indomitable courage _ and much common sense. His work in charge of the co-operative tunnelling party which drove the bore for a big water supply tunnel in Wellington established a record for New Zealand, and it is reported that once when a member of the party rrrew fractious Mr Semple felled him with one blow. _ To-day Mr Semple has a thriving business, he drives a car, and carries a cane. But he still talks with the vivid force that marked his speech of old, and he still casts a_ suspicious eve upon the operations of the Public Works Department, for, as a practical man, does he not know how many are the sins of the_ constructional engineer? Mr Semple in action is a force. There are no half-measures about him: he knows just what he wants, and he will hammer the opposition witli every stick and stone handy if they fail to give it him. His tall, sinewy frame, small head, and bright black eves betoken physical strength, and in debate he is still muscular. Also, when the talk is of the conduct of affairs ho displays intelligence and common sense. He is still learning, but as ho grows older he does not become anv less violent. A number of ms ideas have come to him through the usual channels, many have heen_ c nfirmed hv his own wide experience. And—one must not forget—when not contorted in debate he is the soul ol courtesy. 16.—HR G. G. MUHNS Beside the vigour of Mr Semple there is nothing to hold Mr Mimas in attention. His salient feature is and will remain sweet reasonableness. The seconder of the Address-in-Reply is not au imposing speaker. His essential good nature robs him of sting in debate; his very openness to conviction is apt to unsettle his judgment. Mr Munns resembles the Oxford University inan who is very chary of reaching a conclusion, and whose object is to keep his mind open until all the evidence is before him. The new member for Roskill gives ono the impression that a fresh piece of evidence has always just arrived. Mr Munns speaks easily and well, but there is a fiat level of “ I venture ” and “I suggest” about many of his opinions. His subjects move along on a boundless and unadorned plain. He seems to feel equally about land settlement and a domain boardHis judgments are always reasonable enough, but one has the impression that ho could equally well have reasoned his way to an opposite conclusion. He lias no lire, he does not carry the war into the enemy’s country, but equally he has a scrupulous _ care of statement which might bo imitated by other members. Mr Munns would never take an unfair advantage, and he would never enter a personal wrangle. But he is as yet a little too ready to change Ids opinions. He will never smite the opposition in the Old Testament manner of the Rev. Mr Isitt, or the bulldog fashion of Mr A. D. M'Leod. He will not endeavour to persuade it—such a task were hopeless. But he will continue lucidly and dispassionately setting forth his own point of view. 17— MR S. G, SMITH The now Chairman of Committees is not strictly speaking a new member, since ho was one of the casualties' of tho “Coates Wave.” But even that swing of the voters unseated Mr Smith by a merely handful of votes. And today he is back where he sat for seven years, and where his father sat before him. Mr Smith is a politician. He has been something of a force in local affairs for many years, and he is and remains a keen judge of a situation. Expedients are things much traded in when one dabbles in local politics; there is so much that is not possible. And Mr Smith probably knows as much of political tactics as anyone in the country ; certainly ho knows as much of the practical' effect of a given action as is possessed by any rival for the position which he now holds. Mr Smith is essentially a man of action. He has no use for discussion, save as a means to an end. Ho can express himself with words at once virile and persuasive, but he would count them wasted where the other man is not open to conviction. And did not Mr R. A. Wright recently declare that no speech in the House "ever affected an issue? ,Mr Smith probably feels, that debate in the House itself is a waste of time, and that speeches should be reserved foi the country. Certainly, to see him at his desk, writing industriously and interposing a few subdued “Hoar, hears,” is to think that he considers the whole spectacle of Parliament _ a somewhat unnecessary, one. Mr Smith is a practical man. He is, it seems, always thinking, “ Well,\ when_ that is over, wc can get on with the job.” (To be continued. )