PASSING NOTES.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume VII, Issue 275, 26 September 1896, Page 4

PASSING NOTES.

[By Mercury.]

It /could hardly be expected that such a-- tender subject as the Banking Enquiry should take place without bitterness and recrimination, but not even this indulgont Colony was prepared !or the scene which took place between the Hon. John McKeuzie and Mr Hutchison the other day. At the~-T passing of the fcfonv^Rule XJill a-frGw^j fight took place ou'lthe floor of the House of Commons. From time to time we read of unseemly scuffles in the Legislature of New South Wales, and like the Pharisee of old we thanked the Lord that we were more decorous than they. We may no longer indulge in these pious Jboasts, for these two gentlemen hare dragged us down to the level of the most disorderly Parliament in Australia. We have applied the brand to our own foreheads, and we must carry it until the obliterating hand of Time shall have closed up the scar. On a full consideration of the subject it must be admitted that Mr McKenzie is the more guilty of the two. He knows what Mr Hutchison is, an irritating critic without party obligations, ready to give insidious stabs on both sides of the House. The Minister for Lauds knows this and the Colony expected from him a higher sense of decorum than could be claimed from his antagonist. The position of a Minister, besides, carries with it a responsibility which calls for restraint when the Parliamentary. temper is unduly agitated. Had the Premier given Mr Hutchison a box in the ear during i the heat of the debate, the country might have forgiven the trifling breach lof privilege, because Mr Seddon is known to be a master of the pugilistic art. But that the stolid John himself should compromise the dignity of his position by throwing off his coat in the lobby is extremely reprehensible, and is taritainent to a breach of faith with the whole colony. However, the scene goes to verify the words of the poet who in writing of Highlanders in general said:

" No faith in tartan trewes,

Chamelion like they change so many hues."

A s all things have their uses the incident under review may yet prove of some advantage to the Hon. John McKenzie. Until now it was not suspected by friends or foes that he was so ready to develop pugilistic qualities under any provocation. So in. the event of his defeat at the next general election, the Government might send him to supersede the constable at Waitekauri. # # # Mrs Hutchison, /of the Salvation Army, now in Auckland, a few days ago gave a very interesting lecture before a representative audience relative to the method of dealing with juvenile depravity in Melbourne. It appears from this lady's statement that the Government, in conjunction with the . Salvation Army, have been very successful in restraining young girls from a depraved, life. The Army is equipped with institutions where a suitable classification of subjects may be made. Such girls as are found to be hovering on the brink of danger are arrested and handed over to the Army who by legal authority may- detain tliem until they are 20; years of age. Tlie more vicious girls are kept in separate establishments whero they are likely to forget their former habits and every effort is made to prevent their relapse into vice. The Government in all cases subsidise the Army and provide an outfit for such aa may find employment as domestic servants in the country. Upon the whole I think the system propounded by Mrs Hutchison ia more effective than that contemplated in Mrs Seddpn's recent Bill on the same subject.