PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 49

PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

By Pat. WELLINGTON, June 3. The whole week has been devoted to the discussion of the Military Service Bill, which has now passed its second reading, and is being considered in Committee, where olaiises may be amended or omitted. On Friday the Bill was successfully held up by a stonewall, conducted by some of the Labour members. The Short Ttitle_ clause only was considered, and concerning- it these few anti-conscriptionists talked airily during the period allowed to them by parliamentary rules. This first clause- is tho only one yet passed in Committee. Possibly tho ordinary lcyinan docs no't know that in Committee every member may speak on every clause four times, and each speech may bo .10 minutes in duration. The interested layman ii having his eyes opened this session. He discovers' that many members of Parliament are as capable- of self-sacrifice as are our soldiers. He perceives that the Maori member* are born orators, and worthy citizen?' of the Empire, and he realises at last that an affirmative answer must be given to that qv est ion— Breathes thore a man with eoul eo dead, Who never to himself bath said, "This is my own, ruy native land"? To those who look on the impression is conveyed that for one or two of the alleged Labour members one country is as- ,good as another, provided that in either no man need work for his living, and no rich man may keep tho riches he has acquired, even though the riches often represent years of privation and self-sacrifice. Thelayman # is looking for an agitator, who. having by lifelong self-denial amassed a fortune, is now pressing it upon the Government, pro bono publico. Mr Isitt, member for Christohurch North, provided a rare treat for the House when he spoke on the second reading of the Compulsion Bill, and before it reached Committee stage. His speech will ever be remembered by those who heard it. There is a man, once a bitter opponent of the national military training scheme, now a strong and earnest supporter of the Compulsion Bill. Speaking quietly and with dignity, he said that he hated conscription; but now it matters not what we like or what we dislike. We already have conscription of the very worst kind—that moral conscription which forces into tho ranks the men of noble spirit, and which leaves bohind the blatherskite, the shirker, and the man of tough hide. The voluntary system takes from tho widow her only three eons, while it leaves to her neighbour across the road all the sons, as well as the ablebodied head of the house. He believed that moral conscription was injuring the future of the country. He know that moral conscription was forcing married men into the ranks, and exposing their wives, and children to great Buffering. There was need for this Bill to be placed on the Statute Book. Recruiting had broken down until the shadow of the Bill had appeared. He asked the anti-conscriptionist members if they intended to light for a theory or if they would not let the Bill pass and so secure 40,,000 single men, whose dependents would enjoy a fuller pension than could be granted if the children of many more married men were left alone in the world. Continuing, he begged the Government to provide a clause for the conscientious objector, the Quaker, whoso views Mr Isitt could not understand, but which are very fixed views. He himself would choose perdition deliberately rather than allow, his womenfolk to suffer while he stayed his hand; but he knew that the Quaker's conscience forbade his fighting. The speaker begged the Government to see that tho country shall never be accused of religious persecution of these men, of whom there cannot be more than 100 of military age. In moving the second reading of the Compulsion Bill, the Minister of Defence spoke in its. justification. He spoke of the magnificent achievements of the voluntary system, which, he declared, has not yet broken down. He voiced the country's determination to see the struggle through, and to bring it to a successful termination. The Bill must be placed' on the Statute Book, so that the voluntary system may be backed by a scheme of national military service if necessary. He himself considered the compulsory scheme the most just, sure, scientific, and democratic way of securing the men for the army. Ho believed it would have been better to adopt it originally, and with a scheme for organising our industries and products. Ho desired not to force his own ideas upon the country, but to securo unity of purpose. He knew that the country was only now ripe and ready for this legislation. The voluntary system has been successful, because the people of this country are loyal and patriotic. They have sympathy with tho weak nations who have been maltreated by a cruelly-organised destroyer. They have faith jn the righteousness of Britain's cause. They have sacrificed themselves for the Motherland, but in doing so they have drawn upon the national resources. Tlio voluntary system b not just, but. it Will be allowed to continue while the people desire it to do so, and while there is no shortage in the drafts. In conclusion, tho Minister stated that there are enough single men loft in the country to provide Reinforcements for 12 more months. The Bill is needed to enable New Zealand to keep her pledge to the men who have already gone, and for our own self-respect. From the past we have inherited 1 the privileges whioh have made us what we are. Our soldiers to-day are providing for a future when, because of prosent suffering, our country and our people will be nobler and more fine. " Peace we hope for, and the day when hate shall be no more j but that day is yet far distant." With words very much like these ho closed his speeoh, and moved the second reading of the Bill.

There wero few present but recognised that on the Minister rested groat responsibility. However, Dr Thacker, Mr M'Combs, and Mr Payne were among the few. and even on the great, historic occasion they could rot rule their tongues, but Interrupted until the Speaker intervened. " To prevent fastening the shackles of compulsion on democraoy," Mr M'Combs (Lyttelton) moved an amendment —" That the second reading bo taken in three months." After some discussion the division was taken, and the amendment lost by 54 to 5. Those who voted for it wero Messrs Hindrnareh, M'Combs, Payne, Walker, and Webb, while Mr Fletcher (Wellington Central) and Dr Thaokor paired for if against two others. The northern Maori member made his maiden speech during the debate, and was warmly applauded. He spoke in his native tongue through an interpreter, who, by tho

way, badly required a cough lozenge. Tail Henare said that the Natives desired to win tho war. They did not think about money. Ho hoped the Government would consider the Native people, who feared that, their race might soon become extinct. If the Natives had not done their duty in the past, then he would desire conscription for them, but not otherwise. In Auckland he had seen European young men still remaining in lucrative jiositions, and he stated that sonje Natives loved not to see Austrians tilling the soil while their own sons went away to fight for New Zealand. Tho Hon. Dr Ponmre's speech was eloSuont and full of wisdom, and Mr Ngata, :ie Eastern Maori member, produced one of those eloquent, thoughtful speeches with which in tho past he has so often charmed tho House. He paid a tribute to the Minister of Defence, and thanked the speakers who had desired the Maori people to be exempted from the Bill. He reminded them that the Maori representatives were responsible for their inclusion. "The Maoris are a lighting race," said Mr Ngata. "They will benefit by the fighting. Thfrir blood will be stirred anew Their race will not decline. Their self-respect demand's their inclusion. Tactful administration will overcome technical difficulties." He feared not tho effect of military training upon the British Empire. He hoped the TBritish people would adopt that part of Prussianism, which made for efficiency. Ho know they would never adopt its " frightfulness," for the Englishman was the finest man on earth, perhaps as fine as the Maori. —(Sympathetic smiles.) He approved the Bill, and was glad the Maoris were included.

Mr Forbes (Hurunui) desired tho House to trust the Government, and to defer criticism till the war is over. Mr Hornsby (YYairarapa) made an excellent speech in favour of the Bill. Ho spoke of the threatened industrial trouble, and regretted the " canker worm" which was endeavouring to destroy everything and get nothing in return. Ho considered that persons who dis couraged young men from, enlisting are worse than Germans. Tho debate, on the whole, was very fine. Opponents of tho Bill are unfortunate in possessing representatives who carry no Weight in the House, and whose utterances are absolutely boring. Mr Payne s ingenious mind has boon occupied! in the production of all kinds of private Bills, which have been printed at the expense of tho country, and which will never get a hearing. He, however, has had the lid of his box put on for the present. The Prime Minister has moved thai Government business shall take precedence of other business on all occasions this session. Mr Nosworthy and Mr Payne have had several altercations. Tho eye of Mr Speaker is upon Grey Lynn's eccentric representative, who has ceased to amuse even casual visitors to the House. To-clay it is announced that his Majesty the King has conferred upon the Hon. F. W. Lang, M.P., and Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Order of Knight Bachelor. Sir Frederick Lang will receive tho congratulations of members from all sides of the House. Sir Joseph Ward has boon absent all the week through illness. Captain Hine and Captain Coatcs have leave of absence from the House when their military duties detain them in tho camp. Tho Prime Minister's brief speeches have been characterised by a broad toleration and infinite patience. His good temper remains unruffled./ Mr Malcolm, as Chairman of Committees, was obliged* to act as Speaker and Chair man on Friday night during Labour's stonewall, and while the Speaker was " unavoidably absent." Soldiers in khaki are present every night, while in tho galleries the women knit ceaselessly, and blushingly endure the praises which are heaped upon their sex by the Minister of Defence and others, who lose no opportunity of acknowledging the excellent services which they have rendered to their country in work and sacrifice. Few of theso women appear to sympathise with the anti-conscription members. Most of them have dear ones in the firing-line, and some of them mourn for sons who will return no more.