IN THE GALLERY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8776, 4 July 1914, Page 5

IN THE GALLERY

(K.A.L.) NO-CONFIDENCE. After u formal half-hour industrious, but hoc epoch making, the debate takes possession. We miss Albert Edward. Wo had expected him and those shafts of his which fall off the “no ruy’s armour without rattling. He had moved tho adjournment. Moved it on his own, no regard for chiefs and ihoir arrangements governing such mutters; an entirely undisciplined effort, and before midnight. But Sl' Speaker had .seized tho psychological ■moment. He knows tho House, ho saw tho languor of the debate, ho put tho adjournment motion, declared it carried, and tho House waking up vent out to congratulate Albert Edward and laugh at his contempt lor "tho disciplines of tho wars." But tho morning found a different Albert, Edward, and did not find him in his' place at the psychological moment. Mr MacDonald shoulders the debase, moving briskly through ‘the country of tho “Flying Squadron, ’’ and falls into an ambush. Mr Massey insinuates before the world that there were no audiences; at one place, for example, there wore only five people. . , ■ Mr MacDonald, replying with warmth to this discharge, finds his pcoplo up beside him taking a hand. “Xo policemen,” shouts Mr Forbes. “No tickets,” yell a dozen voices, • “Order.” calls Mr Speaker in tho midst of tho answering shouts of the Ministerialists, who have rallied to Ins advance. At last ‘idio voice or author--ity prevails. Mr MacDonald with a parting shot, “Entirely incorrect into enemy's ranks, goes on with Ins brisk movement. I’rosoiitly ho gives Mr Massey another onportunity. He is bombarding tho Fisher section of theCabinot. Certain lands arc spared to enable that irentlemun to prove to his constituents tjj at ho is a leaseholder, is keeping his leasehold pledges to his constituents. “Those are national endowments ot 60 years,’ shouts Mr Massey, barring tho enemy’s road. “And you vorv well that no Munster can touch .that tenure.” Half the House seems . to wonder whether tins is to bo regarclod as a really vigorous championship of tho endowments. . Without voicing anything like that Sir MacDonald gets bnskiy on to the native land question, asks why d°u t you straighten out all those tangles, find has a few rapid exchanges with the Native Minister; defends Hie finance of his administration against attacks, generally displays terra uni t would have seemed incredible to the House in his pro-Cabmet days, takt. his degree as 5.8., which means btio.ig Debater, Ha wears his degree nell to tho end of his allotted time. Mr Fraser takes the debate over like the proverbial swing of the pendulum. He is a cool, wary old snorder, and ho comports himself accordingly Nothing can exceed the courtesy with which ho refers to Mr Myers s declaration about the navy. H has the Highland warmth winch everyone Associates with tho hon. gentleman s' name, and when it is challenged by limitation cries, it is soon also to have tho tenacity which, has made the ciay.moro of his upland race a power m war. In other words, ho makes the very most ot the Myers episode. The onomy, of course, retire with all tho honours which they can claim from, tho same. But tho Highlander keeps his point where it was, with effective courtesy. Ho draws the moral that tho navy should bo kept free of party. There aro shouts that it is so always, but he goes ou without turning his bend. ■ ‘ Ho astonishes tho enemy by standing up for the co-operative system because it is'best for tho slower workers, ■whom ho has served by retaining the system for them. But lie claims his right to serve the interests of the fast workers, who ought to bo allowed tho chance to make money to tho interest of tho State. After this he goes to tho financial side, and repels charges made against him. Before ho ends he is' asked for tho Public Works Statement, but the oncmy gets no change. Albert Edward follows. He is in tho full maturity of his powers. Ho soars upwards with poetry, and the House soars after him with shouts of joy. Ho covers' a great, deal of ground, firing his shafts at tho enemy, find though tho tips have been toucher by the Muses, tho shafts fall off tbo hostile armour without the expected rattle. Mr Brnduey puts in a plea for brevity. He founds thereon a claim to tamo. He adds some political work, chiefly in tho direction of Ministerial policy, he talks ships and seamen, and ho ends by keeping his promise ot brevity. Tho House recognises the teat with a grateful round of applause. Mr Witty has not forgotten that wo aro at war. Ho fights, ho speaks at first hand of the strike beginning, gives his description of tho famous charge, ho docs not care what anybody says either, Mr Massoy or Mr Alien. Ho was there, and he saw. Ho rakea up the strike, with a strain of judgment, in his criticism, for though he Jills the air with missiles, only one vt thorn is directed at the other side —Mr Massey in his endeavour to settle tho strike. But when Mr Massey says "incorrect” Mr Witty plays tho game. Ho thou maintains a strenuous attack, indefatigable, earnest, unceasing, going all over the field, and interjections .vise up all round him as ho goes. Mr Buick goes down to tho wharves and conjures up tho whole story. Wo ouco again shudder at Mob Rule. Again we seo tho bolts and brickbats in the air and wo try to dodge them. Some of tho members do tho sumo, and disturb Mr Buick’s meritorious description. Ho takes rofugo in tho batons, applauds tho holders of ‘the batons, has to engage many skirmishers who object to batons, and comes out with a rattling panegyric of, tho “men" who como down, sir, from the country. and gave tho people their own wharves. ' Being in the laudatory vein ho bestows of his best, reaping it all along the Government lino. Mr Robertson drops down ono of the props erected by Mr Voting. Ho declares that Mr Young has been tho victim cf a joke played on him by certain miners, who made him think they were Masscyitos- Tho usual skirmish takes place, and tho Otaki man gets into congenial surroundings. _ln these bo alternates between fighting and lecturing, and sn ho plays his part. Across tho sleepy House not listening very oloselyto Otaki—that city being, after all. -ixty miles away—there comes a bomb—lurid and fizzing. Mr Pavne has thrown in, “Mr Massey sits there by bribery and corruption.” The House does not make uproar. It quietly orders tbo words to be taken down.' They aro taken down —and Air Payne is asked what he lias to say. Ho says something, and Air Milford hurriedly offers Parliamentary advice. It crimes to nothing, and Air ,Payne, ro-

fusing to withdraw, is ordered out, and as he goes he cries out his contempt for a dirty business. Air Alassey ; s impressive, saying nothing worse than asking for Air Payne’s suspension for the rest of the sitting. It seems merciful. But it appears otherwise. Members gather round the bomb—and the question is raised whether this is a bomb at all. Personal bribery or party bribery—that is the question. Mr Russell fights hard for the non-cx-plosivo side, putting in a strong plea for mercy, by withdrawal of tho motion. Air AVilford backs him with precedent, aud invokes the law of "you’re another,” Air Alassey being the other. Pleas, for mercy rain from tho Opposition benches. Tho Prime Alinister yields gracefully, withdraws his motion, accepts the suggestion to give Mr Payno another opportunity to withdraw. After sturdy objection from the Labour side, which Air Speaker resolutely keeps down to tho point, tho motion is passed. There is a pause. The Sergeant-at-Arms goes out, messengers scurry hero and there; time passes. Then Mr Speaker announces that Mr Payne has escaped. Alombers look grave. Air Alassey, maintaining the dignity of Parliament, gets Mr Speaker to put off the matter till Tuesday, and after a word from Payne, the House gets away, wondering where Air Payno will be ou Tuesday.