NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2548, 28 June 1895, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[R.A.L.] Among the humours of tho debate on the Address mention must not be omitted of Mr Pirani’s retort to Dr Newman’s jibe of Pharisaism. “ The hen gentleman’s party," said Mr Pirani, "reminds me of the sect of the Sadducoes who had no hope of a resurrection.” It was the last shot in tho debate, which, unlike many sped during the conflict, went quite straight to its mark. It hit fair and square on the bull’seye of truth; for tho truth is that the

Opposition, as represented by Dr Newman and some others, is extinct. Their political life is one prolonged " tangi ” for a departed monopoly of greatness, of which history will record nothing bat the m.ittakc3.

That the mistatref i'tili occur is but natural. So strange is human nature that the one thing loft alive of the organisation which once flourished as tho Tory Tarty ii the liability to making mistakes. Human frailty is tho only bond of Union, between tho followers Of CfrptaTn Ivusscll. Take for oxanf.ple Dr Newman during tho debate. Ho was denouncing Socialism, 'then one of tho Ministers reminded. him that he had lectured to an ■f f.dVcnce, more or loss admiring, on municipal Socialism. The Doctor was enraged to tho verge of purplodom and beyond. But tho incident throw light on the Doctor's career. At KarOri the Doctor seriously traced tho increase Of lunacy ’tb the “irritating legislation” of the , Itrt few yen's; at Petone ho was “ Radical, sir ''; at Wellington before A small cofcerio ” municipal Socialism ” was the theme of his really Very enthusiastic'discourse. It, makes oho think of “ ail things to lall meet” and laugh a little. It rhakes one ask " What is municipal 1 ” and prompts ono to reply, " Tciuothing that you can drop like a hot coal as soon as you get outside a municipality.”

I‘ho retort about tho Sadducecs was particularly good. In tho first place it wholesomely chastised what was a reference not in tho best taste, it noty leaning a trifle towards impudence. It is hu impudent thing to twit an 'opponent with Pharisaism. It is c tiling the Doctor would not drear* of doing outside of politics any more than his chief would dream of telling any man in private life that he had lungs of leather and a faoo of brass. He forgot himself and was wholesomely corrected.

It was ready of Mr Pirani. But Mr Pirani is ono of tho readiest and dev'creat of tire now men, and Ollfi bt Ihtt hardest workers in the House. Ills first day of political life found him honourably ambitious, but a little crude in his sense of proportion. His first year. has improved his sense of proportion, an-I given him a good grip of tho iaild question, tho. education question, tho public finance, and many other* of tho first importance. Mr Pirani’s first year has dono him credit as an indefatigable worker with a clear head and a strong sense of justice, and has thrown credit on tho profession of .journalism which has trained him for polities. Every journalist in New Zealand wishes Mr Pirani well.

'llhe long "tangi” of tho Opposition over tho buried corpse of their deceased party of the Saddueeo porsUasi.oU—-' v Sad you see,” is tha refrain of.their mournful song —reminds Us <lf the Hibernian feat of the Paruellilfcc. Paruelliara was Parnell; a force Created, held together and directed With superb and surprising effect by ono man. Parnell died, but some enthusiasts insisted on retaining Parnollism I'd that end they elected another 'chief and continued to call themselves Pamellites, though his fclUiG was not Parnell, and his naturi was not Parnellio. It is only in Ireland where such a thing is possible. The practical bull is, however, long-lived; Air Eedmond has declared that tha Parnellities intend to divide every constituency in Ireland.

When the elans rose in thoif might for Charles Edward, they fdUghfc Under Dundee, tho only man who could lead them to certain victory, because the only man with the electric, diplomatic and masterful power necessary to hold together those splendid but wayward hints of as magnificent a fighting force as tho world ever saw. And so long as Dundee led them they were victorious. After Dundee fell gloriously in tho Pass of Killieorauki, the clans won no more battles over the redcoats. But though they got another chief, they never ventured to call themselves Dundeeites. What they had the good sense to refrain from, that the Eedmond people have the stupidity to do. It is a stupidity ruinous to tho Irish pause. Sometimes the worst enemies of the Irish cause are its bestmeaning friends.

Yesterday tho question of motions for returns was rather stormily thrashed out. No one doubts, not even tho men who framed the motions, that they are political engines by which it is intended to batter the Government. We will not say it is an unfair device of war, for in war the maxim is that all is fair. But what fair man will deny that to grant all these motions without opposition would be a childish act on the part of tha Government? The denunciation of the proper care tho Government take is supremely absurd.

It is, in fact, absurd to talk of the treatment as an opposition, at all events , r at tho present stage. The Premier hit tho point when he explained tho difference between unopposed motions and motions which must be discussed. No one can complain of being asked to justify his motion for a return by showing how tho public interest will be benefited by it. If a man cannot do that he has no right to ask for a return at all. Those whoso sole object is the truth must gladly respond. Those whoso object is to make political capital—and many motions are put on the Order Paper with no other object—cannot reasonably complain if the Government take precautions to get both aides of the various questions raised set before tho public at once. The position is really incontestable. The admission of tho fact will save much public time.

It has surprised the House and country to learn from tho Minister of Lands that at tho present moment 700 men are employed on the new half-time system. It is a substantial answer to those who somewhat; rashly maintained that there is nothing in the administration to sustain tho reference in the Governor’s Speech to tho provision made for the unemployed difficulty. All Australia put together has been at it longer than we have, and in all Australia we doubt if there are 700 men. Be that as it may, we feel sure that this system is the key to the unemployed difficulty. It employs the men by helping them to be self-reliant to teach themselves their business of tillage. The 700 we make no doubt will grow until there are no more men unemployed in this land of plenty.

The House has broken the record. It has sat a week. During that time it has debated and passed tho Address-in-Eeply, read eight big Bills a second time, rejected one after a two hours’ exhaustive debate, got over a long interception of Supply (on a motion for Imprest Supply this is most unusual), disposed of one motion for the adjournment of tho House, heard some sixty questions answered, and has a full Order Paper ready for continued briskness. It is a record. If this rate keeps up the session will be over early in August. So mote it be. The signs are decidedly good.