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Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1925, Page 2

Thk edict has gone forth that strangers entering the precincts of the House of Parliament are to doff their hats. It is as well to say at once that this is not a recognition of any majesty or halo surrounding the members, hut is simply a mark of respect to the constitutional authority under which Parliament lives, moves and has its Iveing. The edict, however, falls short of being as embracing as it should he—it does not demand that Memliers— the puppets of the people who have to doff their hats—should do likewise. Tt is good to think at least that the mem-ber-makers are not called upon to lift the hat to the members. Last week’s debates in the House do not give occasion for much respect for the individual members. Many of those who

.spoke were content to ileal generally with personalities. The idea seems to be to attempt to say something which while appearing to l>c smart, may ba also disrespectful. Some smart things may be said, but tbe sum of the whole lot do not make up a line of polities. In fact politics seem to be the last tiling to be taken about, (liven the opening there are those in the House who never tire of pilloring a member with the past, and seeking to score in that way. The score by such methods

can never he very pronounced. It is surprising on the face of it that so many men considered to be representative of the people as a whole, can meet day after day. and waste afternoons and evenings with empty talk, the substance of which will get the country nowhere. The i ost of conducting Parliament averages a very high sum daily, and the waste which has been going mi tor the past fortnight and more would he most useful in many other directions. It is remarkable that a sense of what is proper in Mich a matter does not occur to those who with so limeli apparent delight waste time and money in an endless flow of words, words, which are quite ineffective in achieving any result value. Such is the game of politics for which the country has to pay dearly. It is said that the lack of a decisive majority by the (lovcriimcni is the cause of this position. If that he so. hero is an argument at once for a fusion which will give a majority stable enough to get on with the essential legislation for the country. Just why the two parties in conference cannot agree to a common forward policy, and settle down to work out the details would ho a mystery difficult to solve were it not for the fact that the J portment of some members in Parliament. indicates how shallow is their ability to conduct the business of ilie country on sound and useful linos, avoiding useless waste.