POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 144, 16 June 1909, Page 7

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[from orcn co-respondent.] WELLINGTON, Monday. Another speech besides that of Mr Hogg, this time that of an Oppositionist, has been freely commented upon as being in bad taste. This was the speech delivered by the new member for Dunedin, Mr G. W. Thomson, wlio succeeded the jaunty and popular Mr Barclay last December after one of the closest struggles on record. Mr Thomson, who is a highly educated cultivated man, so forget himself as to make a personal attack upon the Prime Minister, who, he insinuated, was only going to London for selfglorifkation. It having been suggested—quite erroneously I think—that Sir Joseph may receive some further mark of his Majesty's esteem, Mr Thonson must needs crack a weak and somewhat offensive joke on the subject, suggesting that Sir Joseph's title should be "Lord Bluff of Awarua." The laughter over this production of the would-be wit was very thin, and had it not been that it was a new member who made the speech he would have had a good keel-hauling. Dunedin was never famous for the wit of its representatives, (Sccbie MacKenzie was the one notable exception) and if its latest member is to pose as a humourist with any success he must produce something much better than his effort of Saturday. Mr Massey waxed virtuously indignant on Saturday over a Chairman of Committees being elected now instead of November, and illnaturedly hinted first that Mr Wilford was very anxious to get paid full pay for halt' work, and secondly that the election had been hurried on to prevent a certain absent member from being nominated. As to the first suggestion the popular Tom made Mr Massey look foolish by_ stating, and very promptly, that if the House thought as Mr Masses did, he would pay the Consolidated Fund the difference between his salary as M.P. and that he would receive as Chaiilman of Committees. The absent member is Sir William Steward, who_ is too old to acquit himself with, credit in the position he^once held, and also.-it Is mere hypocrisy on the part of the* Opposition to trot out poor Sir William as a subject for its bogus sympathy, for when in the Speaker's chair Sir William was constantly being sneered at by tho very men who now weep crocodilean tears over his not having a chance to contest the election