IN THE GALLERY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8782, 11 July 1914, Page 4

IN THE GALLERY

(R.A.L.) It rains petitions, Bible-in-schools. Then it snows returns. That is tho Parliamentary weather of peace. Tho Prime Minister explains a lease transaction mentioned during tho war—by Mr Isitt in tho No-confidenco debate in fact —and then hands tho balance of th© afternoon to tho House, for. tho discussion that belongs to Sacred Right of Question. Wo have tho usual kaleidoscope. Among the flitting colours we nolo Sir Joseph trying to draw the names of tho new Councillors out of tho Prim© Minister. He knows with a. smile that there are 350 anxious people. Ho professes tho greatest sympathy for their state of painful suspense. Who are the successful happy ? “Very good men,” says the Prime) Minister. He borrows his friend’s smile, but he will not go any further than a declaration that he knows of oven moro aspirants than tho number named by his friend, and that they are not "all on the “Reform” side. Tho kaleidoscope offers nothing further till dinner. . . After dinner committees Are set up. The process gives tho House a chanco to talk about Victoria College, and tho House takes it. Ono feels, that tho winter of discontent has passed, there is a disposition to note tho end of dreadful marches and tho mounting of barbed steeds to fright the souls of adversaries who may bo. described. But if there is any disposition to let thoughts wander on to* wards lutes aud ladies’ chambers', the proceedings discourage it firmly. Tho House takes a respectful, silent interest in the speakers. In some cases tha* respect takes the delicate form of being interested in something else. Tho speakers who know their subject, of course, are never disturbed. Medical students, law students, and other students are lively people on certain occasions; but not when they got into fhis House. Their interests arc represented hero by persons who clearly have no sympathy with any “capping”' eccentricities- Ono feels how heavily they would fall on such eccentricities were they to get a chance. A gentle buzz of conversation encourages the idea that hen. members are discussing that point. Anyhow the development of university education is in no way disturbed. The agreement ail round seems to be that university education is impecunious, and impecuniosity always has a depressing effect. It also has a tendency to protest against remedies that are merely eleemosynary, which, whatever else it may succeed in doing, deepens the surrounding gloom. The Government is adjured to grapple this financial question, to place it on a sound and generous' basis, and tho Government looks tired. Supper arrives—a welcome relief.

After supper the discussion goes on with equal knowledge and an interest which fails to dissipate fhe gloom which has returned with lion, members from supper.