PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3214, 20 October 1915, Page 49

PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

By Pat?.

WELLINGTON, October 16, Tho session camo to its close on iutsday night, and members liavo returned to tiaeir homes, pledged to do all in tneir power to stimulate recruiting and to support the Government system of registration and calling up of recruits. In the clos.ng hours much work was done. Consternation was aroused among holders of the Wellington City Corporation leases when it was discovered on Tuesday that, without previous notice or discussion, a now clause relating to revaluation of lease had been passed. The question is a thorny one, and the valuations made lately have been hotly contested. Differences of opinion, heart-burning (possibly tingerburning), has been the result. The clause, which slipped through without notice, and must have been cleverly engineered, provides that a stipendiary magistrate should act when a third arbitrator had not been agreed upon already. It is felt that a stipendiary magistrate is by no means necessarily qualified to decide satisfactorily difficult questions which arise. Strong protest was made next day by parties affected. Having had its attention aroused, the House saw reason in a clause introduced by Governor’s Message, and the operation of the clause is suspended for a year. This gives time for adequate consideration of a matter out of which, wrongly dealt with, great injustice may result. The Defence Amendment Bill provides pensions for men injured in training camps and for dependents of men who have died in training camps. Some members were anxious to strike out a_ clause which provides for careful inquiry into all such cases, but the Defence Minister’s advice was taken and the clause remains. In tho course of tho debate tho Hon. Mr Allen said that ho hoped soon to consider tho case of dependents domiciled abroad. Meanwhile each case is considered individually.

Dr Thacker is anxious that every civil servant shall be free to enlist. The Prime Minister pointed out that no one had tried to pi'event their doing so; but he foresaw it might some day become necessary ' to restrain engineers and surveyors, who may bo required more urgently hero. During the discussion Mr Wilfovd once more urged the Government to made use of the Women’s National Reserve. The Prime Minister then hinted that every woman in the country would soon have her chance. Later it transpired that the women are to register for service, but their registration is to be a voluntary matter. The Defence Minister and Dr Newman indulged in a small argument on Monday. Dr Newman urged the Minister to lessen the restrictions against men with varicose veins below the knee. He suggested that General Henderson may approve. The Minister’s reply indicated that ho will be guided entirely by General Henderson in tnia matter, A clause in the Appropriation Bill dealt with hospital ship funds, and various members protested against the suggestion that money which had been raised for a specific purpose shall be used for another. In spite of protests, the clause was passed. Trouble on the waterfronts was again mentioned in the House. Generally speaking. Labour members showed no great desire to pour oil upon troubled waters. During the week Mr Webb waxed eloquent about a circular which ho believed had been circulated by the Commissioner of Police. It concerned firearms, which, Mr Webb alleged, some people believed wore being collected by trade unionists. Mr Webb declared the circular was an insult. Mr Herdman declared that ho knew nothing of the matter; but if the Commissioner knew that firearms were being collected, then it was certainly his duty to put a stop to such proceedings. Later it appeared that there was no such circular. General regret is expressed that a responsible person should repeat tittle-tattle as truth and work himself into a passion for nothing. Various Labour members are anxious that the law shall force unions to admit all persons of alleged ,good conduct, gome unions are anxious to keep out the turbulent spirits, and are insistent in their desire that the Government shall bock them up. This, Mr Webb and others declare, is victimisation, Apparently they argue that the minority should rule, and that unions should bo forced to admit men who are known to he agitators and who have caused groat trouble in the past. The Prime Minister is determined to let well alone, and he will not give his consent to any scheme for admitting even men of good character to the unions if those unions object to the admission. Mr Wilford, from whom the proposal emanated, agreed that his scheme would give the right of appeal to men of good character. Another clause in the Appropriation Bill deals with wheat. Mr M‘Combs talked at length on the matter, which had boon well discussed in Parliament previously. Apparently the Lyttelton member had paid no heed to the previous debate, and lie reiterated ah the old arguments. Prom wheat Mr M ! Combs passed on to milk, and grew very heated over the clause in the Factory Amendment dealing with a condensed milk factory in Southland. Continuing the debate after dinner, Mr Webb talked about chilled meat, rich men. exploitation, hardships of workers, and other matters, in spite of a broad hint from the Prime Minister that the House would’have to meet next day unless members could restrain their loquacity. Sir Joseph Ward’s reply to criticism was strong and frank. Like as a father, so did bo reprove the folly of Messrs M‘Combs and Webb. Speaking rapidly, he answered every point, and held up to the ridicule of the House Mr M‘Combs, who had posed as the sly friend of Labour, and who with other Labour members had attempted to stonewall the B ; ll in a most unworthy way. Ho waxed eloquent, and spoke of “blooming hearts which had nearly hurst the waistcoats,” nil because the owners of said hearts had deluded themselves into the idea that they and they alone represented the working people, gir Joseph Ward said that ho and the Prime Minister had both studied the workers in the past yearn. The Bill conccVning factor *ce had been introduced at the request of the Labour Department in Ihe interest of farmers. Labour members had attempted to die on the floor of the House to stop it, and had so squashed another Bill —dealing with alleged victimisation pn the waterfront. Tho Bill affected one factory, and the factory was in Sir Joseph Ward’s own electorate. He maintained that ho was quite capable of looking after tho interests of his own constituents, Briefly, ho advised Messrs MOombs and

Webb to iook before they leap, to live and learn, also to cultivate gooa judgment, which is essential to good statesmanship. He referred to the cost of living, and defended the policy of the National Cabinet. Unfortunately, Mr M'Combs was not present. Messrs Webb and Payne occasionally interrupted in a manner which reminded spectators of terriers vainly yelping in pursuit of a large mastiff. Certain members nave admitted privately that they found J ( >y iin seeing the “erstwhile faithful” publisly reprimanded by a statesman who is piayi-ng the game after tlie manner of an Englishman. On that last night of the session th® Prime Minister spoke in terras of appreciation of his pride in Messrs T. Y. Scddon, Downie Stewart, and W H. D. 8011, members of Parliament who are serving their country in her hour of need. Other speakers endorsed all the Prime Minister had said. A resolution was also passed congratulating the military force of the Dominion, on the splendid conduct and bravery displayed by the troops at the Dardanelles and elsewhere. The usual courtesies were extended to the Speaker, Chairman of Committee, and others. • Mr Speaker bore this blushing honour with great dignity and an air of becoming modesty. Later he made suitable reply. Mr Malcolm, Chairman of Committee, confined himself to a brief expression of thanks. During the evening a short speech eloquent with feeling was made by Slir Jarncs Carroll, who has inherited. from two great races those qualities which make for success in public speaking. Pause and restraint are there. He knows well the value of the suggestive, eloquent smile. Ho has command of language, and he is the happy possessor of a voice which is musical and pleasant. The session closed on a martial note. The Hon, Mr James Allen, Minister of Defence, made certain statements which will go down in parliamentary history as a recruiting speech. Standing in his place, speaking simply and earnestly, with no attempt at effect, he told members something of all New Zealand has accomplished—something of that which still must be done, and he read a letter from General Godley which touched the hearts of all present. The letter spoke of the gallantry of New Zealand soldiers, and told how Colonels Bauchop, Malone, Findlay, and Chapman and Maior Overton had died. It told of the Fifth Reinforcements, and how they went straight into action on the day of their arrival, and how they covered themselves with glory. It spoke of the valour of the Maori troops. All this, argued the Defence Minister, proved the excellence of our recruiting- system. In response to a request from the Army Council, Cabinet had decided to increase the percentage of reinforcements, and to send forward dratf-s every month. Mr Allen appealed, through Parliament, to the manhood of the country. He was confident that men would come forward without compulsion. Other members spoke In similar strains, and, after certain motions of congratulation, members rose spontaneously and sang the National Anthem.