PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12932, 31 July 1905, Page 5

PARLIAMENT AT WORK.

GALLERY NOTES AND LOBBY GOSSIP. LW TELEGRAM.— CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington,, Sunday. "The honourable gentleman had better not question me about the Hinemoa trip," said the Premier, on Saturday morning, in Parrying an interjection from Mr. Bedford m regard to the Premiers■.health trip in the;. Government steamer. "What," lie asked, "about the Hon. Mr. Bedford, who travelled ; across the Atlantic and through America last year, receiving all the honours and civilities which are given to great men and judges? I think we will have a Royal Commission sent to America to see whether there is any truth in that." (Laughter.) Mr. Bedford said, when he spoke a little later on, that the insinuation that he had gone through America, masquerading as a Minister of the Grown was absolutely contrary to fact; It was, he said, a common thing, when travelling through the States, for visitors to have titles added to their names which they did not deserve. It was true that he might have been called "doctor" and •"honourable," but he could not help it. "I hlso heard," he said, "that when the Premier was over there he was called a doctor of divinity." (Laughter.) "I say," retorted the Premier, "that you were called the 'Hon. Mr. Bedford,' and that you never look the trouble to got it contradicted."

"I DID NOT DO IT." . The excision of. the references to the land question from the copy of the Premier's Newtown speech which was circulated in the Pahiatua electorate prior to the by-election • last year, was again brought up on Friday night. Mr. Seddon absolutely denied any responsibility in the matter. " I never cut it out, I never sent it, and I was not consulted about it," he declared. "If anybody likes to circulate fragmentary parts of my speeches, am I to bo held responsible for it?" he asked. Mr. Taylor: Who charged you with this? Mr. Seddon: The member for Mount Ida, and I think the Leader of the Opposition also did. !S Mr. Massey: I have made the charge repeatedly, though not to-night, and I stand by it. ' A PASSAGE-AT-APvMS.

In the early hours of Saturday morning there was a brief passage-at-arms between Mr. Laurenson and Mr. Baume. While Mr. Laurenson ' was . speaking, Mr. Baume somewhat excitedly interrupted him by interjecting three or fqur times, "Ridiculous nonsense!" Mr. Laurenson ignored the first interruptions, but at last expressed the opinion that "the lion, gentleman's foreign blood was getting the better of him." Mr. Seddon rose to a point of order. The Speaker said if any member interjected he was liable to have heated expressions made back at him. He had not heard Mr. Laurenson's remark, but, if made, it must be withdrawn. Mr. Laurenson said he would . withdraw the words. The hon. member had goaded him by repeated interruptions. A minute or two later, in answer to another remark, Mr. Laurenson said that apparently the member for Auckland did not understand English. Mr. Baume retorted "A Jew understands English as well as a Scotchman." ' POLITICIANS AND ACTORS. " The stage has lost in the right honourable gentleman one who, had he been there, would have made the greatest reputation ever made upon it," so affirmed Mr. Taylor on Friday night in referring to the Premier's dramatic style of meeting charges upon his Administration. " If," said! Mr. Taylor, "the Premier and Miss Tittel Brune had only been on the stage together they would have made a great fortune." The House roared in appreciation of this statement, but Mr. Seddon did not neglect the opportunity of a return shot when subsequently replying to Mr. Taylor. " Mr. Taylor said that I would have made a great actor, but to have made the company complete we should have required a stage villain, and for that character I would have taken the hon. member for Christchurch. With Miss Brune as the leader on one side, and Mr. Taylor as the dark villain on the other, the company would indeed have been a. great success." The House laughed this time with the right honourable gentleman, who then turned 1 his attention to the more serious features of the debate.

MR. LAWRY AND MR. MASSEY. Mr. Lawry, who took a hand in the Imprest Supply Bill debate, in defence of the Government, made a speech which contributed a great deal to the amusement derived by the House and galleries. The member for Parnell had! not proceeded far with his remarks 'before he turned his attention to the Leader of the Opposition, who, he said, had dared to interfere with him in respect to his seat. He warned Mr. Massey, however, that all his efforts would prove to be in vain. Mr. Massey: 'that remains to be seen. Mr. Lawry said that if he were only five years younger ho would meet the Leader of the Opposition on his own ground, and beat him. For every man whom the hon. gentleman knew in the Franklin district he (Mr. Lawry) knew 20. Mr. Lang: Yes, and they know you. (Laughter.) Mr. Lawry said they knew him as an honest man, who had had . dealings with them. There was not one transaction which had not ended with mutual satisfaction and goodwill. That was how they knew him. Mr. Massey : Well, they refused you by about 500 votes. (Laughter.) Mr. Lawry: That was when I was as ignorant of politics as the lion, gentleman himself. (Laughter.)