NOT APPRECIATED.

Northern Advocate, 20 September 1910, Page 3

NOT APPRECIATED.

A SPECIMEN OF PARLIAMENTARY

"HUMOUR."

Some people have a queer idea as to what constitutes a good joke. In the House of Representatives an allegation was made by Mr Hannan. M.P., fo. Invoreargill. to the effect that some members of education boards receive travelling and other allowances in connection with meetings and official inspections. During the ensuing discussion-, Mr Buchanan, M.P. for Wairarapa, stated that he had just received an anonymous letter evidently from a member of the House as follows: — "It is up to you to show how much ill-gotten gains you have received from education boards." (Signed) "Honesty." Mr Buchanan said that the note pained him very much for he had never drawn a penny by the way of such allowances dunng the whole thirty years that he had been connected with the Wellington Education Board. He

thought that members should be protected from such insulting communications. To a chorus of "Oh's," the Hon. T. Mackenzie remarked that he was the culprit. Seeing that Mr Buchanan appeared to be very serious over the question of allowances he had as a joke, and with the concurrence of members around him, sent the note. Only the other night when he (Mr Mackenzie) was speaking, Mr Fisher had sent him a jocular message. They had afterwards had a good laugh on the point. Mr Buchanan must know that no one could impute such a charge against him. "I accept the assurance," rejoined Mr Buchanan, "that it was intended as a joke, but it does not say much for the Minister's common sense to attempt a joke under the circumstances." ' ..,„:. ,*To this Mr Mackenzie replied that he would never attempt a. joke on MiBuchanan again. The incident closed with a remark by Mr Fowlds to the effect that it was dangerous for a Scotsman to attempt a joke at any time, especially on another Scotsman. (Laughter).

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