PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3304, 11 July 1917, Page 37

PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

By Pat.

WELLINGTON, July 7,

"Audi alteram partem." The wisdom of the venerable maxim was well exemplified in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, when the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph, on their return from -bugland, gave an account of their visit to the Home Country. Criticism on their absence has been riie —some reasonable, some otherwise, Though it would be too much to claim that all criticism has been satisfied, it can fairly be claimed by tiiem that all reasonable criticism has been reasonably met A great deai of Bimmoring discontent has been generated by loquacious and somewhat irresnonsible politicians, who know that their best chance of catching the limelight is to attack prominent mon. -the duration of the visit has been adversely commented upon, and suggestions have been freely made that the Ministers were junkeung in London. Sir Joseph Warn dealt drastically and convincingly with the criticism, reminding the country—what it never should have forgotten—that thenvisit was in response to an invitation irom the imperial aucnoritics. The occurrence Oi the i-tussian revolution on the eve 01 the intended departure made it imperative that they and other overseas delegates should remain in conference at headquarters over the utterly changed conditions. Coming to work accomplished, it was made clear that the financial operations completed would alone justify the absence of at least one Minister. These negotiations extended from about last October for a period of some months, with the result that all the Dominion's short-dated loans have been converted for a period of '6O years, thus completely relieving the Treasury from anxiety on their account, and releasing energy for exercise in other directions. This was effected without payment of brokerage or discount, a saving to the Dominion of nearly half a million pounds sterling. The National Government, whatever its faults may be, should have credit for its successes. Sir Joseph Ward added very reasonably that those ' who suggested anyone would 6top in London now lor pleasure can have little idea of the conditions prevailing. The Prime Minister in his speecii dealt with many subjects; but both leaders were hampered by the necessity for secrecy regarding what took place at the War Cabinet and, to a certain extent, at the War Conference. Much time and energy were spent by him in fixing prices for supplies to the Old Country. Much of the criticism to which he is subjected is rendered valueless if it is borne in mind that he had to do his best for the producers in New Zealand without bleeding the Old Country in time of war. The question of cheese was dealt with by'both the leaders, and it was made clear that just before they left England an arrangement was made that if Canada's price was raised, New Zealand should share the benefit. With regard to shipping, critics have not realised that, as was pointed out by the Prime Minister, the primary duty of the Shipping Controller is to provide food for the Old Country and her armies at the most reasonable cost possible. Though it is difficult for some of us to realise this, our local interests must, in his view, be a secondary consideration. Notwithstanding this, the arrangements made must bo accepted as highly satisfactory. The Prime Minister had much to say of the war and of our soldiers, and this part of his speech was mod interesting to the people in the galleries. He again reminded the country, through the House, of our promise to the Motherland early in the war of all our resources. He laid particular stress on the Dominion's determination that the German colonies should not return to Hun rule, and repeated his previous statement that he and Sir Joseph Ward had emphasised this determination at 'the War Conference, and also tire universal desire that the ground where our soldiers lie sleeping shall be secured to us eventually.Men in the street have indulged in a good deal of talk about the Meat Trust, and Sir Joseph Ward has made it plain that it is hopeless for the Dominion to grapple with that menace, except in cooperation with the Imperial Government. When he showed that importation from New Zealand last year amounted to only some £7,000,000, while the Meat Trust handled considerably over £250,000,000 in the year, his hearers grasped the truth, and incidentally gasped. About preferential trade Mr Massey was forceful and optimistic. It is evident that the possibility of establishing preferential trade depends upon whether the Old Country will consent to abandon Freetrade. Mr Massey seems san guihe that she will do so; but many will be less optimistic.

The important matter of co-operation m naval defence was touched upon, but hero the embargo of secrecy was particularly hampering. Another matter which occupied attention was that of Dominion minerals, with a view to preventing Germany ever again gaining control of ores essential for warfare, as in the past. If arrangements in this direction can be effected, Germany's cjaws should be effectively clipped. One of the most useful contributions to the after-discussion was from Mr E. Newman (Rangitikei), who took a very broad view of the questions raised. The criticisms of some members would lead one to suppose that they had been prepared before the session, and they were fired off in the manner of the school boy debater, who takes along his argument and produces it, with no reference to previous speakers. To Mr Harold Smith, of Pahiatua, fell the honour of moving the Address-in-reply. The new member's manner of address is ingratiating, and the matter contained m His speech interested the House. It is admitted in the lobbies that Mr Smith is a distinct acquisition. He possesses humour. Though a lawyer, he spoke as a farmers' advocate. lio expressed approval of tho National Government, but disapproval of some of the work accomplished by it. He strongly- disapproved of the butter-fat levy, and he humorously suggested an alteration in tl-s excess profits tax. saying that peopi> require the assistance of lawyers : n making <;ut their returns. (Yec lawyers are not making war profits.) In reply to an interruption from Dr Thackcr, who desired to know why people should not eat tho cheese which is deteriorating :n store, Mr Smith said he was not stopping them if they liked rotten cheese; but he would like the Government to establish cool storage, and to be Jtupported by tho producers. He referred to the valuablo work accomplished by the

Hon. Mr Herdman in the Discharged Soldiers' Department, but stated that 6tiil more must be done, and that he is confidently waiting for a lead from the Government, and, failing it, he himself will have more to say. The Hon. Mr Buddo, in a somewhat dreary speech, seconded the mover. So far the debate has produced nothing original, and very little of a helpful nature. Mr Hornsby (Wairarapa) possesses a, good speaking voice, and gave the impression that he was listening to its cadences rather than attempting to throw light on the situation lie spoke a good deal of what has been done in the Wairarapa for returned men, and attempted the unnecessary task of painting the lily—Mr iWhatman, whose patriotism is equalled only by his modesty. Mr Parr. of Auckland, was interesting and broad. Mr Wilford (Hutt,) » always eloquent, and generally, as on this occasion, ho champions the obvious. The work which must follow demobilisation was his theme, and he enlarged also upon a castle in the air, which is called a peace conference. Mr Newman resumes the debate next Tuesday. f$ During the week many questions have been asked, petitions for early closing of hotels presented, and certain notices of motion given. Mr Payne, of Grey Lynn, has proved himself the same Mr Payne, not without humour, and certainly not without some ability, but the same bumptious individual, contradictory, self-confident, selfsatisfied. He is famous for his Bills, and moved to introduce the Political Corruptior; Bill and the " Suppression of Title and Abolition of Pomp and Ceremony Bill." He has been well squashed, and the House has rejected the latter, which provided material for a very unedifyinjr discussion, in which Mr Hindmarsh (Wellington South) took part with characteristic haste and lack of thought. Mr Hindmarsh does not object to all titles, but thinks they should be bestowed for social and not political service. Mr Payne's voice was heard on the subject of snobs; but the Bill was rejected on the voices—4B to 4.

The Minister of Defence is questioned often, and is replying with courtesy. Undoubtedly he has made many political enemies, but he ha 6 also secured to himself friends on both sides of the House, who haA r e already expressed appreciation of the work ho has accomplished. In his speech on Friday nijrht Mr Parr, of Auckland, suggested that possibly it is. time to take stock of our man supply. How long can the Reinforcements be kept up? There is universal determination to secure a square deal for the soldiers, and particularly for men of the Second Division. < The Government's policy is awaited with interest.