OUR LADY'S LETTER

NZ Truth, Issue 749, 25 October 1919, Page 2

OUR LADY'S LETTER

(J By "DOT." ' - I y ' =E? The committee is making another effort to procure the release of Alice Parkinson, and for this purpose a Parliamentary petition is now m circulation, which the presidents and secretaries of all Women's Societies are urgently asked to sign. * # * The straight, tight skirts have made their appearance m the Spring costumes worn by visitors f rom *Auckland and Sydney. A good-looking- young maid is wearing a champagne -colored crepe-de-chine suit, the coat being three-quar-ters and semi-sack, and the skirt straight, narrow and not nearly so short as usual. A large black picture hat and white furs completed a very summery effect. An^'orty dame recently returned from abroad is wearing. a navy blue costume with the skirt rather full and short, displaying awful feet and lack of calves— and a close-fitting black straw toque. The galleries of the House were quite attractive to M.'sP. and members of the museum yclept the Legislative Council, because there were at least a dozen pretty or handsome women m the ladies' galleries. Most of them were visitors to Wellington. An Auckland M.P. was responsible for a "beauty m black," wearing one of the mushroom -shaped hats with a pleated frill of lace round the brim, and two long and, dainty trailers. A very plump and handsome blonde wore a bronze taffeta with gold relief which displayed her beautiful and plentiful hair. \ A dark lady appeared m a powdered blue ninon with a touch of Eastern | embroidery, whilst another wore white ninon relieved 'with golden brown straps. One fair lady wore a very j pretty heliotrope georgette blouse. j One afternoon recently a beauteous, vision m grey with tunic bands , trimmed with grey and white and a ' hat of wall flowers, tripped into the gallery. All old members found something to talk to Mr. Speaker about, and so attract attention — but the younger and more knowing ones just used their eyes — and there are "some" eyes down there, too. Large and brown and fetching, blue and grey and piercing, and small and mean and repelling.

How do Ministers of the Crown get supplied' with false information so very often? Sir Jas. Allen read a table of comparison between Canada's and New Zealand's treatment of war gratuities and allowances which showed us up m a very generous light, and most soldiers were quite saitsfied with Is 6d per day. Lo and behold! a Canadian n.c.0., living m our midst, publishes over, his own name a table of comparison which makes our treatment of soldiers mean m the extreme. It is so clearly put, and of such great interest to soldiers that "Dot" makes no apology for copying it: (1) Discharge Allowance.— -Canada: for six months, per month, married, £20; single, £14; equal to £120 and £84 respectively. ' New Zealand: Nil. / (2) Boat Expense Money. — Canada: £1 cash for seven days. New Zealand: Nil. (3) Train Expense "Money (ovet and above train ticket). — Canada: £1 m cash. New Zealand: Nil. (4) Clothing Allowance. — Canada: .£7 (without return of great coat). New Zealand: £5 (on return of great coat). (5) Gratuities. — Canada: (a) Three | years' service wherever served, but must have been m France for any i period, £400; (b) Three" years' service m Canada and England, but not m France, £300; (c) Three years m Canada only, £ 200. New Zealand: (a) Three years on active Bervice at 1/6 per day, £82 2/6; (b) nil; (o) nil; and nothing 'for Home Service men. (8) Land. — Canada; (a) 160 acres free grant and £1000 loan at 3% per cent, interest, rebate of £13 for every £20 by way of improvement. This allows of a remit of a total of £650, the balance £350 to be Tepaid within 20 years; (b) 160 acres after ten years if the soldier makes good. New Zealand: An advance up to £2500 by way of a loan on mortgage (which, by the. way, runs to about equal to seven per cent. — "Dot.")

Many people have been wondering why Sir Andrew Russell has withdrawn his promise to stand for Hawke's Bay, and "Dot" can enlighten these querists. The said knight and brave warrior lost something besides a little blood on the battlefields of Europe — he shed quite a number of Tory gospels and ideas, and has come back a very fine practical democrat. He has proved this, by taking on to his station a number of returned soldiers on the profit-sharing basis, and m course of time the station will become theirs, and he passes on, or out, e.g., either retires or purchases other property. This creed so scared the Hawke's Bay wool magnates that Sir Andrew was practically forced to give way to Hugh Campbell, ex-M.P. for that district who is famous for having moved for the removal of the duty on champagne!

Will the teachers of our Wellington sobools please delay the advent of their visits to Parliament accompanied by boys and girls of very tender years until, say, 4 p.m.? Recently Mr. Holland asked a question without notice, regarding the doings of Ettie Rout, and, though he strictly conformed to all canons of decency, he was forced to speak plainly, and the galleries were packed with school children of tender years. Why, m any case bring children under the fifth standard, to the Parliamentary galleries? The Speaker was much perturbed at the presence of the "kiddies," and at last Mr. Holland (whose back was to the galleries) became aware of some unusual circumstances inducing Mr Speaker to interfere, sat down with the remark that he would place the whole scandal on record at a more opportune time.

We heard a great deal about the sanatorium for tuberculous soldiers recently opened at Waipukurau, m Hawke's Bay, and which has cost a large amount cf money. Well, the patients were moved from Featherston to their new abode, and loud are the complaints at the utter lack of comforts provided for their reception. The fact is that Defence is hanging back for the Red Cross and V.M.C.A. to do the work which . should be done by Government. Will Mrs. Luke take a trip up?

Doctor Thacker. M.P. (East Christchurch) gave a most up-to-date dissertation of road-making, giving America" as the basis of his matter. He amused the House by his preface. He informed members that we could expect nothing- m the way of up-to-date or any other roads so long as Mr. Wm, Fraser was m charge of Public Works. "If he is approached: He has no. money, and can't get labor; if he has labor, he has no money; if he has labor and money, he won't do it." This very apropos pen-picture brought clown the House. Dr. Th acker's remarks, however, on American system of road-making is well worth your looking up m "Hansard," of October 9.

''Fancy being championed by Jimmy McOombs," said a woman m the prallory when the Women's P.'irMnmontnry lights Hii" ■•ami' book from tho

Legislative Council shorn of half of its body. However, Wee Jamie had soft-soaped the Prime Minister to some purpose, and was chosen as one of the three who were to meet a committee of the Upper House and explain "whaffor." Almost buried m volumes of authors on the constitutional rights or privileges of the British House of Commons and of the Lords, Mr. McCombs gave every promise of inflicting a bad time upon the representatives of the Upper Chamber. Still, there's no result

The latest dodge to secure favor at the polls is to "shout" a seat m the Parliamentary gallery and tea afterwards to school children and teachers —only some M.'sP. leave out the tea! The Hutt "kiddies" know how to do things, and they wrote m to Mr. Speaker and Mr. WUford asking it they might attend Parliament on a certain day. They came along armed with a posy of spring flowers for each gentleman, and were entertained _t>y "Our Tommy" m the tea-room, mis idea was thereupon seized by otner City M.'sP. as a jolly good one, thougn minus the tea!

•■ * * How shall Press reps, survive the retirement from Parliament of Joml Payne, M.P. for Grey Lynn! He is, par excellence, the wittiest man m tne House, and also a most Ippca? and practical speaker, notwithstanding bir John iFindlay's idea to the contrary. John Payne should be a PM"J "?."; He came into Parliament amidst a political turmoil, and introduced Ins •'Scheme 45," which provided tor a State bank, houses at 10s Gd per week rental, etc., and was greetedwith derisive laughter. Now all , IS . ™™J Statute Book, or m the platform of the Liberal leader.