IN THE GALLERIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8794, 25 July 1914, Page 5

IN THE GALLERIES

(Pv.A.L.) THE COUNCIL. Imprest Supply is the hurdle fixed across the leisured space. The horse “Perfection” comet* in with the bill, and of course starts the customary canter. But the atmosphere is against “Perfection,” does not encourage “Perfection” to jump everything in the known world. The only other hurdle but Imprest is a little matter of privilege for lost comrades. Tho Cotxncil murmurs of lost comrades. Lost comrades have lost privileges and titles. It is even doubted if lost comrades who have been soul of honour can be entitled to be any longer regarded as “Honourable.” “Perfection” jumps that hurdle with vigour, and tho Coxxnoil helps with uplifted voice. After that the hurdle of Imprest is jumped in record time, and “Perfection” is led to tho weighbridge of all good actions.

Masters and Apprentices com© in next, and when affairs aro being arranged somebody, starts the question of wives. I? is not clear whether the wives are wanted for the master or the ’prentices. Anyhow there’s a million of surplus spinsters in Great Britain, and if they could only bo transferred to these shores, the masters and tho apprentices could settle the question of annexation by methods as old as Adam. The Council receives the suggestion gravely, and decides that the masters and apprentices shall have this opportunity tor really interesting experience. As it is impossible to consider any other thing after that fundamental racial question the Council adjourns. THE HOUSE. Land, Ho! It is tho cry of the shipwrecked mariner, when after many days he sees tho solid earth ho has boon days dying to reach. It is also the cry of many members .this afternoon, whose constituents, wrecked by the storms of legislation, have found a precarious refuge in cities on their way to the laud which eludes them. Land, Ho! There is the green earth. How are these shipwrecked to get to it? The question keeps the House till dinner, in a manner. of which the persistence, is as surprising as the casuistry displayed, as the successful avoidance of real issues as the general tolerance tempered by burning desire to condemn somebody or something to death. ... , The land and the tax, with and without learning , wrestle for the road. Everybody wants to open the l '°. a “j There is no doubt about that. And everybody gets in everybody s way there is no doubt about that either. It appears there are several roads to the land, which- get tangled up in apparently inextricable contusion. Ine confusion gets more confounded with ©very speech. The trouble is t-hat there are so many speeches. The chief feature is a compliment by Mr Bussell to the Finance Minister. Mr, Russell remarks affably on the amiable readiness of the I‘ inanco Minister to give all required information. He is not alone. The Finance Minister stands hour after hour very “patiently, answering all the conundrums put to him by all ■ and sundry- To judge by the silence following these, answers to : the, seventy or eighty sphinxes of tho land, tax despit, they seem to be satisfactory. . . • Out of tho ruck the leader of the Opposition arises, making searching attack about mortgage tax. Ho brings in mortgage tax, sets it down in its proper place in front of graduated land tax, explains that, its abolition will stop graduation in the case of every big landowner, declares that the Government knows it, reminds the Goverment of the many “Reform” campaigns! against him by reason of this impost, asks why they don’t repeal it now they .nave the chance, insists on knowing wliat they intend to put in its place, and when they intend to abolish it. He is like the Sphinx getting ready to devour all unfortunates unable to answer tho riddle- Tho riddle is not answered, and tho Sphinx does some munching of bones. A little before supper this procession of the sphinxes of land tax ceases.

A more gracious figure follows. Pomare trips into Committee, and reigns regally, with no party rebellions.

Under the benign reign of the goddess business proceeds with beautiful flow of business process. Finance not confused by party sentiments, presents columns of figures that are treated like useful, necessary ladders. The earth yields of its richness, trees grow with peaceful rapidity, fruits ripen in the sun, waters flow, and divining rods excite nothing worse than gentle banter, which doss not prevent their finding the artesian springs. The Prime Minister wears the court dress of the queen of fruits, and the House is a company of friends anxious for presentation to Her Majesty. Her Prime Minister attends to the details of the costume in which they must present themselves to be agreeable. With a sigh, the House leaves the temple of Pomona.

It takes to local elections in chastened mood. After steady progress, Mr Isitt raises tho question of secrecy of ballot. Very temperately, ho details how easy in certain cases is tho detection of tho voter by the number displayed. The House demurs, Christchurch appeals to the Minister, who confirms. Presently the Minister explains that the system has been adopted elsewhere to avoid tho worse evil of dual voting, which can be prevented by this method, but by no other which does not give away tho secrecy of tho ballot. He favours mixing tip votes, sending all votes from small stations to bo mixed with bigger batches at other booths. Tho House sees reason quito readily. The mood continues, taking the House a pleasant ramble round harbours and foreshores with tho Harbour Bill, carrying it through Victoria College, in full respect for all Collegiate inst-tutions. “Defamation Bill” stands next. It looks like a storm-cloud. But the Minister moves to report progress, and tho cloud disappears. The House gets away with harmony undisturbed.