THE NEW ZEALAND LABOR PARTY

Maoriland Worker, Volume 11, Issue 449, 15 October 1919, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALAND LABOR PARTY

IN THE HOUSE

By E—Tosbaro.

The Rouse continues to sit ano. to talk. It talks of many things. Many things are wonderful, but the most ■wonderful of all is Parliament. Here are some eighty men, all talkers, whose combined wisdom is unable' to keep prices down, or solve the housing problem, or bring cheap coal to the hearths of the people. Is it wonderful that there are people Avho begin to despair of Parliament? If Parliament were deliberately instituted for the purpose of preventing needful reforms from being accomplished, it could not more effectively carry out that purpose. Its time" is frittered away in useless debates about ail manner of things, while the things that matter are left undone. Even the "Dominion" newspaper is moved to urge that Parliament should concentrate its energies on a few big things rather than waste its loquacity in kaleidoscopic discussion on a host of subjects that have no earthly relation to the real business of the country. The session is a sheer waste of time, of money, of human life. Nothing Avorth while could be done under existing Parliamentary methods. This is the stark truth, and the long-suffering people are beginning to realise it. Some members of Parliament, at least, ere beginning to realise it also. * * * * According to Premier Massey, there tB a terrible desire on the part of the Government to rush to their constituents, and three more weeks only can be given to see the present session through. After the .Estimates, the only measures proposed to be dealt, with were the Women's Parliamentary Rights, Moratorium, Board of Trade. Housing, Education, and Railway Bills. Also a Bill dealing with land tenure in the King Country. What a programme! It is of a most economical order, and any amount is left to be done after the country has been consulted. Perhaps if; is just as well. It is in the interests of the people that when more important work is to be done members shall be fresh from their constituencies armed with authority to do something that is really worth while. * * * * It is amusing hOAV interrogative and critical the ex-Liberal Ministers have become since their departure from the National Givernment. They are continually pegging away at the Reform fellows who have been left "to carry the baby" to know about all sorts of things which they must be already perfectly aware of. They have had the inner running of the Cabinet for so long that they should hardly be in need of information. Of course it is all a question of advertising themselves in view of the coming election. When they were in oflice why did they not do more themselves ? The excuse was, "We are only out to win the war, and Aye can attend to little else." Now, of course, the excuse of the Masseyites is: "We can do very little this session apart from pressingly indispensable measures; we are, so anxious to get to the country." This do-nothing policy which has gone on for so long is lovely to look upon if you arc only in of_.ee drawing a fat salary. The ex-Hon. Torhmoddy Wilford-is one of the forward questioners, and it is remarkable the amount of vigor he is showing as an interrogator. He almost outvigors the Vigorous Brown. When marine matters Avere being discussed the other. day (he Avas Minister of Marine) he acknoAvledged that good work had been done by the Waterside Accidents Committee, but he had also td admit that he had left fifty remits for his successor to deal with. Why did not the Hon. Tomnoddy deal Avith them? * # # * It was something of a sensation when it Avas declared in the House by Bicketty Russell that there was authority for saying many good railway men had returned from the front, discharged medically fit, to be incontinently turned doAvn by the Department when they applied for their old jobs. This sort of thing, in the language of Prime Minister Bill, is unthinkable. The excuse seems to be that the men, in their anxiety to get to the front, threw up their jobs. Ye Gods! These men were those who were considered so valuable that they were not conceded departmental permission to go forward to the strife. Yet their enthusiasm for the safety of the Empire Avas such,that they resigned and volunteered. This is the Sort of stuff that the British race is supposed to be made of. And this it; their aftermath treatment. The glorious policy announced Avhen the departing troops left us with the inspiriting strains of trumpet and the thrilling beat of drums, Avas thac should they come back their future tvould be ensured. Having achieved their bit, they might, reckon on glory evermore. And now! If this .story Is true, the mpn might be set wondering why there are so feAv conscientious objectors. It is a. sad return for these men. Instead of being heroes they find themselves fools to trust the powers that be. Put not your faith in Princes, Governments, Departmentseven private employers. For it also has been declared in the House that private employers are turning doAvn their former employees who have gone (S! the front and have been replaced jwJobablv by cheap female labor. It ft to be" hoped that this sort of thing ie not going on to any extent. But there must be something in it or the rumor would not have found its way to the House through a conservative member. Mr. W. H. Field, the member for Otaki, asked whether the Government could not see its Avay 1o compel private employees to take bark their men Avho had enlisted. The suavity of Farmer Bill was stretched to its utmost when he'replied: "I am afraid I have no such power; but he thought that every right-thinking employer would be only too pleased to take back the men who had come forward in the Empire's hour of peril.' And then there were ejaculations in the* shape of "Hear, Hear." Wonderful satisfaction to the returned soldiers _TAUilB£ the streets and meditating

In and Out of Parliament

how they are going to get a roof over their heads. * * * # For downright horse sense, few members of the House can beat the member for Wellington South. Speaking on the debate on the report of the Fisheries Commission, Mr. Semple uttered the following words, Avell Avorth the attention of the electors: "This debate affords conclusive evidence that the initiative and referendum is what is Avanted in this country very badly. Year after year this Parliament assembles, and a A-ast amount of talk is indulged in. The pages of 'Hansard' aro filled, and galleries and newspapers are talked to, and each member puts his line out into the political fishing-pond to catch votes. Some of them may find Avhcn the election comes along that they have only caught a 'cockabully.' It is time the people demanded that the reforms they ask for shall be brought about. We have laAvs on our statute book instructing the Ministers to do things, but they have done nothing. This house year after year appeals to the political boss to do something, and members find they are powerless as any individual outside this institution. And honorable members w r ondcr why there is discontent." w * -x- * Comrade Holland has a distinct dislike for especially when they assume the form of "Hansard" reporters, avlio, during the period when War Regulations threatened everybody, followed him round the country to give A-erbatim any utter- j ance which might be considered j treasonable, or disturbing to the peace j of mind of our lord and sovereign, the King. Holland declared that he did not. like to see the dignified "Hansard" reporters put to such base use. In his case it proved quite futile. * * # # Fraser and Semple brought up the question of flogging in the House, ar- J guing "that it was brutalising both to the prisoner and the castigator. Also inefficacious in redeeming criminals j with distorted brains. Payne, of Grey j Lynn, however, insisted that the lash should certainly be applied to men j who indecently assaulted young cfa.il- | drcn. He offered, if necessary, to do J the flogging himself —that Avas if war- j dcrs or constables objected to the job. i From the forceful tone of Payne's voice it might he assumed that he is equal to any job not calling for tenderness. The prison system of the Dominion calls for a thorough overhaul. From time to time the dark doings of officialdom are brought to light by men who have undergone the tender mercies of a cruel and barbarous code that is a mockery of the name of civilisation. In the house last week the case of a conscientious objector Avas brought up by Mr. Holland. This man j had died through want of proper j treatment. He also "-mentioned the case of a boy who had been persecuted by the police after doing a sentence for a foolish escapade, and turned into an habitual criminal. He changed his name and tried to lead an honest life, but his criminal record was brought up against him when he j stood for a public position. He went I to the Avar, and, on his return, found j that it was ar; hard as ever for him to live down his past. The need for reform was urged also by Messr... Fraser and Semple, the latter stating that from his inside knowledge of the matter, the prison system was a criminal incubator. A determined effort should be made by the Labor Party to have an inquiry made into the treatment of prisoners, which is altogether out of keeping Avith modern public opinion. On the House going fnto Supply last week, Mr. McCombs pointed out that the cost of living had gone up 31 points since the House had been sitting, which meant an increase of 103 d. in the pound. The sovereign was only worth 12/7:7. At this rate of depreciation the sovereign will be obsolete very soon, and its place taken by the half-sovereign. The member for Lyttelton said the fact he mentioned indicates the futility of either the GoA r - ernment or Parliament in dealing Avith the cost of living. McCombs should have said "both" instead of "either." * * •* * Mr. P. Fraser made out a good case for State intervention ou the meat question when he showed how much cheaper the- retail prices at the State; shops of Queensland were than the private shops there as avcll as in New Zealand. In answer to the cry that State management meant loss, he pointed out that on the first two year;;' working iv Queensland there was an! aggregate profit shoAvn of £50,000. The number of shops had gone from two to forty, and while two State shops in Townsvillc showed losses, other two showed profits. It was an absurd suggestion, said Mr. Fraser, that the Government that Avas endeavoring to run the country could not run a butcher's shop. "I do not know that it is so absurd after all," humorously rejoined Mr. Holland. •* « -::• * The present Public Service Commissioner system is doomed. Some j change has. sot to be made. That ; s j certain from a discussion which has j taken place on the Estimates. There j was wholesale condemnation of the i way things have been going recently. | The Commissioners are not sufficiently in touch with the detailed workings! of different departments, or adequately acquainted with the abilities or disabilities of individual civil servants, and the square pcs is too often applied to the round hole. There is too much red tape and rule of thumb except when by some occult influence! particular men seem to make partial- J Jar progress. Things happen which: are more mysterious than political! control. Ministers say they ought to: have more say in appointments con-j cerning their departments, but some-j times they are openly flauntrd him! j have derelicts thrust upon them. Of; course nothing is "oing to be done in ; the matter until ::■ . ; session. Exactly what it will he is hard !o say,; but it Is ackr-OAvledjrod that any future; board of control must include a direct i

representative of the public servants themselves. # # * # Mr. John Payne is a man of marked individuality. He has great faith in himself. He prides himself, no doubt, on being original. Original men have their uses; they act as wholesome exceptions to the rule. But John's originality frequently degenerates into sheer eccentricity. He stands alone in the House; he is a party of One. The man has ability, without doubt, but it is not of much use to the country. If he were to endeavor to be useful rather than original, the House would not perhaps be so interesting a place; it might be duller CA r en than it is now, but Mr. Payne might have the satisfaction of knowing that he was of some practical use to the people who scut him to Parliament, and did not represent himself alone, as he is doing at. the present time. Some useful points were made by Mr. Holland, in regard to the control of industry. Avhile speaking on the Public Service. He advocated a Board of Control on which the public servants should have representation. He said that the trend ot public opinion Avas in the direction of giving workers a voice, a share iv the control of the industries in Avhich they Avorked, the pepole as a whole to be represented through the State. Those were the tAvo forces entitled to be represented on any industrial board. This is an acceptance of the Guild idea, and if is satisfactory indeed to hear Mr. Holland approve it. He condemned the existing system oc Public Service control, and asked the Prime Minister to give an assurance that there would be no further extension ot office of the Commissioners Avithout Parliament haA'ing an opportunity of discussing the matter. Mr. Massey said the existing arrangement Avould last, till the end of June next year. It was only right the public servants should have one representative on the board. Parliament would meet very early next year. It Avas necessary it should do so. Holland interjected: "To form a new GoA-ernment." Speaking later on. the member for Grey referred to the social influence exerted in the Public Service, and mentioned the case of Judge Cohen, in New South Wales, who had been driven off the Arbitration Court bench therp because of his sympathy Avith the workers. Holland also declared that some day the political system would be changed. It is most true; the need for a. change in the obsolete political system Avas never greater than at this moment. At the same time this subject, is one that gets scant mention from members of Parliament. * * •» -:•> Mr. Veiich, of Wanganui. is a shrcAvd Scot, lie never puts out. his hand any further than he cati draAV it back. His main object in life at present being to keep his seat he bends his efforts in that direction. He is all for constitutional and moderate action. Occasionally he goes all the way Avhile talking in the House. For instance, he declared that industrial unrcstf could not be abolished by giving workers representation on a board of control; they had to go deeper than that. {Until the whole economic system Avtis altered, industrial unrest Avould remain. Mr. Vcitch is also, among llhe prophets. Any attempts, hoAvevc ;\ to alter the economic system that ■ ivculd endanger his seat, he Avould not approA'c, although he has sense enough to know they are quite necessary. It is Wanganui's fault that itt; member is a diluted-Labor man. Mc is fit for better things. The fjords have saved their precious privileges, and said to tho too-daring to:: :-:o : vki'fl~ parliamentary "honor:;'" — Hitherto shalt thou conic, but no further. To drop the figure of speech, the Lords have decreed that ladies may sit, also get up and speak or talk as the case may be, in that branch of the Legislature commonly designated or knoAvn as the House cf Reps., but may not invade the Upper House. Perhaps the Lords think there are enough old wives there already. In any case, Labor is satisfied, because its policy is to let women speak in the House and to abolish the Council, which serves no useful purpose and cannot be said to add as much to the gaiety of the Dominion as a variety show. The great question of Pmilegc Avas debated once more by Elected Persons in Avliat is known as the Lower House, a phrase borroAvcd from the Old Country, Avhenec this progressive State has derived most of its institutions and ideas. The Leader of the House moved that, the Commons should insist, on the original Women':; Parliamentary Rights Bill, Avhich the Lords had made applicable only to the Commons, on the ground that legislation relating to the constitution of the Lords could be introduced only in the Upper House. That groAvn men can be found seriously to debate questions like this Avhen the problems of the Cost of Living and Where to Live are driving people to despair and to suiside, is proof that civilisation is played out. Mr. McCombs has discovered that. May. an acknowledged authority on Constitutional Law (something the Briton regards as only <i little less inspired than the Ten Commandments) states that a bill affecting the privileges of one branch of the Legislature should originate, in courtesy, in that chamber. But the Lords claimed it as a right! He gave instances of.laws passed in th» Commons affecting the very life and constitution-of the Lords, and said that it. Avas the height cf absurdity to say that the House Avhich imposed the disability on women should not originate a bill to remove it. It is the height, of absurdity that human beings should be such slaves to mouldy precedents and an absurd reverence for a Constitution Avhich is not a Divine revelation, and be in mortal fear of doing things that break old precedents and make new ones. Wise men make precedents and fools follow them. But in Parliament it is supposed to be the height of Avisdom to know what, precedent is, and to follow it as a flock of sheep follows the bell wether. In any ease, the House did the right thing for once, and stuck to its Bill. The question oi' privilege still absorbs the venfj-able members-"or the Legislative Council. A majority of tic* Council holds that their privileges have been encroached upon by the de-,-;?i,-ir. nf the people's representatives to give women the rig'iii 10 ft it in the Council. Ar the moment (here is a deadlock bci.wr-en the two Houses. Speaking on the question, Mr. T. J. P_el decl_.rcd that the country Avas much more interested in getting

things done than in abstract arguments concerning the privileges of either house of Parliament. He warned the Council that delays and absurdities such as were engrossing the Council and amusing or disgusting everybody outside the Council, was ! undermining the prestige of Parliament. * * * » Apart from the difference of opinion with the House, the Council has done nothing interesting and only a little that is useful. Of course, the Council must rest while the gentlemen of the House of Representatives are making speeches. And some of the election speeches are so painfully obvious that even the least intelligent elector should not be misled by them. The way several of the life-long principles of the Labor Party arc finding endorsement in unexpected places is quite touching. If it were not. election year tho conversions would he quite embarrassing. As it is, there will he much back-sliding at the elections. Unless the people are Aviso enough to distinguish the real from the tempor* ary conversions. ■X- •» * * In bringing fonvard the RaiLvay Statement for the year ended March of this year, the Prime Minister Avas able to announce record receipts amounting to £4,988,632. This is an adA r anee of £300,932 on the earnings of the previous year. The. expenditure has amounted to £ 3,308,575, so that there has been a net profit on working of £1,680,057 as against £1,641,793 in 1918. The net revenue is equal to a return of 4.65 per cent, on the capital invested in the lines open for traffic, and 4.2S per cent, on a capital of _39,_60,88_ invested in opened and unopened lines. The gross receipts on the running shoAv au improvement of 9.30 d. per train mile.