THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 17

THE WEEK IN PARLIAMENT.

THROUGH WOMAN'S EYES.

LAND BILL AND SUMMER TIME.

[BY TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, Saturday,

Parliament is inundated with petitions at present, somo that for 20 years have boon presented. There is a regular codo of decisions in regard to petitions.' Tlioso that aro turn down aro ordered to lie on tho tablo, tho committee having no recommendation to make. Next comes tho recommendation for Government consideration, then for favourable consideration, and in somo cases "most" precedes "favourable." This is unusual and mot with somo surprise on Monday, when two petitions had this good fortune. Alas, it is a disconcerting fact that even favourable consideration docs not always mean consent to tho request. Mr. Forbes had an uneasy anticipation of prolonged debato on his Land Bill, and directly tho House met on Tuesday pleaded urgency so as to get overtime. An all-night sitting was suggested. Mr. Coates laughingly asked the Minister why ho did not wait for rain before he put his umbrella up. Tho bill was regarded by members in varied aspects. To begin with, Mr. Mason declared it was a joke and, that it meant Ministerial suicido, tho Civil servants over-ruling the Minister. Mr. Hall said it was an honest but weak attempt to solve tho land question, and Mr. I.ysnar, with passional o vigour, welcome in the midst of so much dreariness, talked of bludgeon-blows and split heads as an effect of the measure. Called to order, he apologised and added naively, "But, metaphorically, it is correct."

An Appropriation Involved, For tho first time this session the Speakor was called in to give a decision on the chairman's ruling. Mr. Poison's appeal for three farmers on tho board was regarded as an appropriation clause by Mr. Smith, and not allowed. Mr. Speaker upheld the chairman, saying that these men must be paid something, if only travelling expenses. It would, indeed, be extraordinary, in theso days when "Giving's dead and Lending's very bad, nothing for nothing have and precious little for sixpence" if men could be found to render services for pure patriotism. Members of Parliameut, liko ordinary humans, aro subject to irresponsible fits whon sober legislators become boys, and behave accordingly. . Indeed, on Wednesday evening, had they been in school, somo of them would have been sent to tho headmaster's room and many kept in. The subject under discussion was the Summer Time Bill, sponsored by Mr. Wilford. Wo heard the old-time wails of tha weary housewife, tho children who rofuso to go to sleep, tho overworked dairyman, tho dew on tho grass that hinders reaping, and the frost that makes work on scaffolding dangerous—all tho result of getting'up too early. Tho town members wanted tho bill and asked for tho full hour, to tho wrath of tho country members with farming or dairy constituents. Mr. Samuel, in his most plaintive mood, led the protestauts, and Mr. McDougall drew a pathetic picture of sons, jivith unlaced boots, going out into tho darkness and mud to milk, while dad lay snoring under the blankets. We had tho quaint sight of a Government member voicing his support of tho wholo hour, the carrying of which, the Minister said, would cause him to drop tho bill, and later, when lie found it was a Government measure, stating ho would have to voto with his party. The extra half-hour is now permanent and the city members who desire the hour and tho country members who object to any extension must perforeo be content. They have mado their protest and that fact will presumably help them at the next election.

Tate of Official Residence. It seems certain now that the Tinakori/ Road residence and grounds will bo spared. Protest after protest—led by Mr. David Jones —came from Reform and Labour on Thursday afternoon, and even from the United Party, for both Mr. Fletchor and Mr. Jenkins were keenly against tho proposal of tho Government. Assurances camo from tho Ministers that nothing would bo dono in tho matter at present, and Parliament would have an opportunity again to discuss the question. In the meantime, much destruction has been effected, an extraordinary proceeding if it was not authorised. Mention was mado of tho barouche that was presented to Lady Ward and still stands mouldering in the coach-house. _ Many re* mombor what a charming setting it was for tho grace and sweetness of tho then Premier's wife. Mr. Samuel declared that it mado him feel proud to see tho carriage and the bay horse. Among tho many interesting momories that were brought to light was that Sir Georgo Grey planted tho fine kauri trco in tho garden. The mausoleum of Mr. Massoy is fast growing in beauty on Point Jerningham. Each aperturo in tho curve of marble—, such exquisite stone with silver glints and grey shadows —frames marvellous views of harbour, hill and sky. Somo of tho carved work is already there, and a fine bas-relief of the great Prime Minister is to bo set inside tho curve. When tho marble scats and tho pylons and tho doublo flight of wide stops aro in place, and tho proposed scarlet geraniums add their vivid colour to tho silver and ivory, it will bo a thing of beauty—a great momorial to a great man. The whole will symbolise somewhat his qualities—tho simplicity and solidity of tho design, tho vomanco of tho sotting, tho scarlet of the blossoms, for his Imperialism. The Ship of State.

Tlie new Standing Orders <iro said 4o bo strained. Ono would rather say they were in pieces, for thoy are continually being found inadequate. It is becoming increasingly obvious tliafc when solid work has to bo done they liavo to bo altorcd. Since September 24, about a fortnight ago, the Government have had to claim urgency on six occasions, and liavo sometimes overrun the time by four or iivo hours. It seems impossible to get on with business under the changed orders. Finn words butter no parsnips, says tho old adage, and the Post and Telegraph olficials who oxpect.od the cut restored, got com-' pliments, but no increase. Of course, it may come, but tho Postmaster-General could not satisfy tho vehement inquiries of members, because tho Prime Minister was away, and ho was tho only ono that could make a statement about the matter. There was an excited interlude, when Mr. Seinplo charged tho previous Government with robbing the- civil servants by irruposing tho cut. Tlio Chairman gavo threo decisions on the question as to whether the word robbery was Parliamentary, two for and ono against. Mr. McKeen was a ruthless critic of tho Minister's attitude, which, ho ,declared, showed helplessness and hopelessness. Apparently tho Primo Minister has taken most matters on his own shoulders, and this makes it difficult for his Cabinet when lie is laid aside. Lowis Carroll's ship that went to hunt the Snark had on board only tho Bellman, who understood anything about navigation, and when ho was asleep, tho boat sailed round and round in a circle till ho woke Tip. The ship of State is in much the same position, and there is an uneasy fooling 011 board that it nisy run on tho rocks at any momenta