PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 48

PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

By Pat. WELLINGTON, May 13. The parliamentary opening ceremony lacked none of the dignity of former years. The city in the briiliant winter sunshine looked her beet, and vast crowds watched the Governor's motor drive up to the new entrance of the Legislative Council. His Excellency's speech was very brief. It cast awed reference to that landing of our troops which will go down in history as one of the most famous deeds of warfare. It spoke of the endurance and bravery of our men and of their submission to the inevitable retirement from the field where they had won so great honour. It referred to the political truce which prevails in New Zealand, and it concluded by directing the attention of members to those difficult problems which have arisen in consequence of the war, and by commending these pressing matters to their consideration, praying for Divine guidance in their deliberations. Tho week has been devoted mainly to tho Address-in-Reply and to the speeches of members who have desired to take advantage of the opportunity for voicing various sentiments. The expected attack on tho Defence Minister began on the opening day, when members gave notice of various private Bills, in the discussion of which there will be much heat. In moving tho Address-in-Rcply, Mr Guthrie (Oroua) set an excellent examplo of self-restraint. On such an occasion members have tho opportunity to speak at some length, but Mr Guthrie faithfully followed the Governor's exhortation. He was brief, he kept to the point, and he touched on nothing which could provoke controversial discussion. 'He referred to the glorious gallantry of our troops and to the New Zealand homes where never again the son of tho house will return. lie spoke of national sympathy and pride. He touched on the prosperity of the country, which has never been ecjiiailed in the past, and gavo facts and figures which were convincing. Ho spoke of the small farmer and his hard work, and also mentioned the great possibilities in fruit-growing. Coming to defence matters, he considered wo should be proud of. a Defence Department, which, faced with sudden, new, and urgent orders, had been able to "'deliver tho goods" whole and sound. Ho reminded tho House again of the fact that long ago when the" present Minister of Defence had offered 8000 men to tho Empire as an Expeditionary Force if required he waa ridiculed by many who now oppose h'm, and who declare that he is not doing his work to the satisfaction of the country Mr Guthrie reminded his hearers that we have sent away already nearly 50.000 fullytrained and equipped men, and that tho Minister's task had been enormous, and that no one could have performed it without bringing down upon himself the criticism of some people. He spoke of the provision which is being made by the Government for returned soldiers, and stated that he looked forward with pleasure to hearing the Finance Minister's statement, for ho was confident it would be satisfactory, so food. wise, and economical had boon tho administration Ho closed his brief speech by suggesting that other members should also be brief, and get on with the business of the country as soon as possible. Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) seconded tho motion, and earned for himself tho approbation of most of his hearers. Be "ore tho formation cf the National Cabinet he had been in opposition Now he loyally supported that Government, of which the Bight Hon. W. F. Massey is head. He hoped members would rally 'round the Ministry, and that they would let it be known outside the House, and in tho country that in the present Government they have confidence. Other members touched _ on various matters. Plainly, some, including Mr Poole, of Auckland West, are in fighting mood. Pome presume that they alone are desirous of benefiting the returned soldier. Others pretend to 'presume so. Mr Poolo threw out the damaging and daiifferous suggestion that under compulsion the rich will be favoured and the poor sent to tho front. Mr Pcole professes to believe that ho sneaks hi the interest qf_ tho country. If there is an • Opposition its leaders are extremely timid, and they most plainly do not sit in the seats of Labour. Mr John Payne (Grey Lynn) is the mouthpiece. He is "disowned by the official representatives of Labour in the House, and in his hour of adventure when he moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, stating that his Excellency's Advisers do not possess tho confidence of the country, he found no

seconder. He was left alone. If he has sympathisers they were silent, and the House, generally speaking, settled itself down to a few moments' mild amusement. It tolerated him and treated him with that indulgence which busy men sometimes show to the tantrums of a spoilt child or the airs and graces of a petty woman. The member for Grey Lynn y has Germans on hig brain. He sees an enemy in many people whose name is not John Bull, and because the Defence Minister declines to treat as enemies those men who are naturalised and are loyal he professes to believe that the Defence Minister is pro-German, and that the man whose son gave up his life for the Empire is not suitable for a Defence Miiv'ster. The speech of Mr Jennings. (Tamaranui) -«as in fine contrast w'th that of Mr Payne. It was brief. It contained reference to ro turned soldiers, and the hope that they would be put on the best land. He knew from experience how good a person a soldier makes; but the most taking part of his speech was that which dealt with men. loyal New Zealandors, who by accident or" birth are children of parents with alien names. ,For these men Mr Jennings spoke most feelingly, pleading that they oliould not bo treated as outcasts. Tho House was touched. Mr Jennings is the son of a pioneer and he has lost two brave sons in this hideous world war. Captain Hine (.Stratford), in uniform. contributed his quota tc the debate on Friday night. On behalf of officers he deprecated suggestions which have been put forward by certain members of disloyalty among officers. Though ho named no one, he clearly had in mind Lieutenant Gric-rson, whose name has been heard on the lips oi members, who disapprove of his retaining his commission, in '••pits of the fact that a Royal Commission has proved him a loyal subject, whoso British ancestry can be traced back for over 300 years. Mr Hine did not approve of everything which the Ministry had accomplished, but he believed that they had done their best. He desired sane treatment of returned soldiers, and did not approve of overmuch hero-worship. He regretted that the Government had yielded to the unpatriotic request from" railway workers, and had raised their wages. He considered that every returned soldier should be given employment, not necessarily on land. Ho considered that the returned soldier should be under military supervision, and that he should not be allowed to remain idle while he was waiting to be dis charged. He needed occupation. Mr Voitch (Wanganui) in his speech was very critical of the Defence Minister, but. he spoke calmly, dispassionately, most fairly, and impressed his hearers by his obvious sincerity. He regretted that the Minister considered himself a law unto himself, and that ho refused the help and advice of people who could assist him. In his opinion Mr Allen had failed, and should resign. Mr Veitoh proclaimed himself a supporter of compulsion, and hoped the Bill would be strong and sound. He hoped also for sound financial compulsion. The tone of Mr Veitch rang true, and hh speech had some effect, because of its restraint, and because it sounded half-reluc-tant. Clearly, he did not criticise the Minister simply because the Minister's name is James Allen. Mr Wilford (Hutt) made an excellent political speech early : n the debate. He declared himself an advocate for compulsion. Ho spoke of financial shirkers, and wished that factories could be taken over by the Government. He ridiculed the "military mind " of the Defence Minister, and wished he would allow himself to bo replaced by a civilian. Mr Wilford modestly added that the civilian member could be a Reformer, thus, showing that he will not nominate himself for the position. He disapproved of the Government's "kid-glove policv " in regard to Germans in our midst. Others spoke on the same lines. Some ■who disapprove of Mr Allen say he has no soul.' To this he replied once that he is glad his soul is not in their keeping. Hie colleagues are loyal. There are many in the rank and file who would like to speak up for him, and some have done so, but most members clearly have decided to let the storm burst and clear the air, after which the real business of the session can proceed. The Prime Minister continues to smile amiably. The Defence Minister writes much at his desk. While some members pour our passionate orations, other members read the daily papers, and few seem to listen. It looks as if much time will still bo wasted in spite of the Governor's Speech. On the opening day the House was thrilled by the Prime Minister's announcement that our troops are in France. Mr Heaton Rhodes, back in his place, looks none the worse for his sojourn in Egvpt. The House is much as usual. Many returned soldiers listen to the debate, some of them bearing outward signs of the conflict through which they have passed. As usual, fitting reference was made early in the week to members _who have passed away, and to soldier-politicians who serve their country now on a wider field The Legislative Council has done much adjourning, as no business has been passed on to them from the Lower House. The Government's first work will be the Compulsion Bill, and the Bill dealing with land for returned soldiers, and the Bill improving the pension scheme. Mr Wilford hopes the sess-on will be over in a month, but desires ono week to be set aside for discussing the cost of living. While discussing rents Mr Wilford made a well-prepared' attack on the Defence Minister, thus carrying out the writer's prophecy that every impossible moment would be used for the purpose of the attack Mr Payne's policy, has explained itselfHe does not wish to be a " chairwarmer." He desires to show his constituents that he is doing something for his honorarium. So he is introducing many Bills, including one to bring back from Professor von Z-icllitz the £7OO which the Victoria College Council gave him with their blessing. This energetic member for Grey Lynn is always ready with "Hear, hear!" when members attack the Government, and ho shows himself to be very wide awake. It seems a pity ho cannot bo given some little, harmless occupation in Parliament, " for Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do," and a National Cabinet does not pro vide much opportunity for the rank and file. The four members who have been chosen to go Home in response to the invitation j are the Hon. Mr Carncross and Messrs Lee, i Parr, and Sir James Carroll. Very general satisfaction is expressed that tho choice in the Upper House has fallen upon the Hon. , Mr Carncross. The number of scarlet fever patients at Bottle Lake Hospital, ( hrietchurch, is now j 112. |