POLITICAL NEWS AND VIEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11434, 26 July 1900, Page 6

POLITICAL NEWS AND VIEWS

[Br TELEGRAM.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. A DIGNIFIED REBUKE. Sib Maurice O'Rorke administered a quiet but none the less effective rebuke "to Mr. Wiltord, the member for Wellington Suburbs, this afternoon, for "trifling with the dignity of Parliament." Mr. Wilford was plainly endeavouring to talk a motion out, and in doing so was using many words in his efforts to say nothing, and take as long as posible in saying it. , For some time he managed to keep within the four corners of the Standing Orders, but it was evident that the Speaker was watching for an opportunity to interfere and put an end to this waste of words, which was being solemnly reported for insertion in Hansard. At length Mr. Wilford made a slip by referring to a previous debate, whereupon the Speaker at once rose to his feet. Mr. Wilford did not appear to know that a member is supposed to sit down when the Speaker gets up. , Sir Maurice said, "Tho hon. gentleman must sit down when I rise. The hon. gentleman is now clearly transgressing tho rules of the House in referring to a previous debate, and it is my duty to dissuade him from doing so and I would put it to the honourable gentleman that he is not taking a course which will tend to uphold the dignity of the House in the manner it is his privilege to do. I want to give him as much latitude as I can, but he must respect tho forms of this House, and must reflect that while he is in this House he is a member of the Parliament of New Zealand, and is sitting here representing tho people of New Zealand." Sir Maurice O'Rorke is always most anxious that our Parliament shall maintain tho high position it holds among the Parliaments of the British world, and when members are inclined to forget the dignity of tho House, and indulge in a little too much levity, the Speaker's earnest tones of rebuke at once bring them back to their right minds. i INSTRUCTION IN DRILL. Mr. Hardy to-day asked the Government whether they will grant free passes on the Government'railways to all public school teachers while attending classes for instruction in drill t;.ngkt by officers of the Defence Department, in order that the said teachers may be able to impart military drill to the children attending the State schools. Mr. Hall-Jones said this was a matter which the Government considered should be undertaken by the Education Department. In view of the strong expressions of opinion given by members of the House to the Government, and a general desire throughout the country that school teachers should be trained in the direction indicated, arrangements Would be made with the Education Boards for school teachers to receive the instruction as proposed in the question, but an application must first be mado in every case to the Education Department, and endorsed by it, Mr. Pirani asked if dril' instructors would be provided. Mr. Hall-Jones said the arrangement to be made was to provide for proper instruction. THE GRATTAN GRAY CASE. Mr. Atkinson to-day asked the Premier whether the Government intended to grant tho late chief of the Hansard staff some compensation after his 25 years' son-ice. The Premier, in reply, said it would never do to put a premium on a defiance of the House by any of its officers. To retire a sen-ant of the House owing to misconduct or insubordination, and then give him a premium, was not a doctrine that he understood. Where would they be, he asked, if they applied that principle to the public sen-ice of the colony? ARMING THE VOLUNTEERS. Mr. James Allen asked the Minister for Defence if ho will provide volunteer corps which have been in existence for years with sufficient small arms to arm their men; also, if he will make provision fur volunteers who are detailed for certain defence works having facilities to learn their work; also if he will provide for field batteries -that have had no practice for years having the necessary practice. Ho said there were several companies that had uot sufficient arms, and had to appear on parade partially armed. A good many of the men would now not turn out at parade because they were uot armed. This was having a very serious effect on some of the companies, and he hoped it would be remedied at once. _In regard to tho second part of his question, the same difficulty occurred, and the men had practically no opportunity of learning their work. ' Mr. Seddon replied that if the companies requisitioned for arms they would be supplied. In regard to field batteries, facilities were given for the men learning their duties, though in Dltnedin there was some difficulty about a range. Mr. Allen »said tho Premier's answer was not satisfactory. He knew of instances in which applications had been sent in twice for arms, and the men had not got them yet. The Premier said that was tho reply from the Department. He knew the rifles were there, .and there was no reason why they should not be sent out. Mr. Allen: " But they are not there, and they have not been sent out," The Premier: "Very well, then, that is a matter for inquiry," PETITIONS. Another batch of petitions in favour of the early completion of tho North Island Main Trunk line were presented by Mr. Fowlds to-day. Mr. Fowlds also presented a petition for repealing the CD. Act. A petition was presented by Mr. Bollard asking for an inquiry regarding tho enforcing of the Act which compels all vessels over 15 tons trading outside Point Rodney to carry a certificated master. The committee report that the petitions of the following be referred to tho Government:—W. G. Garrard, Maungaturoto settlers (for £30 for a wharf), E. F. Clendon (for compassionate allowance), H. N. Warner (for a pension for services rendered to the colony). The committeo report on the petition of Bessie A. Warner, that petitioner be granted the same compassionate allowance as other similar cases, namely, 18 months' pay. The committee has no recommendation to make on tho petition of Alexander Mackay, of Paeroa. AN AUCKLAND BILL. The Local Bills Committee recommend that the Auckland Electric Lighting Bill bo allowed to proceed without amendment. PONSONBY POST OFFICE. The Government have decided to acquire Payne's site, near the Three Lamps, for the Ponsonby Post Office. Mr. Fowlds has been interesting himself in this matter.