PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3314, 19 September 1917, Page 37

PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

By Pat. WELLINGTON, September 13. Thunder was in the air on Thursday afternoon when Sir Joseph Ward laid on the table of the House a report of the Commissioner who had been appointed to inquire into accusations made by the Rev. Howard Elliott against the integrity of the Auckland P.O. officials. The report completely clears the officers of the post office, who were accused of suppressing circulars posted in July, and concerning a meeting to be hold under the auspices of the Protestant Political Association. The Commissioner's duty, also, was to inquire into further charges—namely, that correspondence addressed to P.O. Box No. 912, Auckland, had been improperly detained, and that the Military Censorship had been used to further the interests of the Roman Catholic Church. As previously stated, the post office officials are cleared. The report gives an interesting isidelight into the working of tho censorship. The sympathy of the majority was plainly with the accused post office officials. Members saw .their chance, and many of them indulged in passionate utterance, lashing themselves into a righteous indignation, and making tho very most of a very regrettable incident.

The Attorney-general, in a calm speech, reviewed the circumstance, and explained the action taken by the Solicitor-general, upon whose authority correspondence addressed to Box 912 had been interfered with by the Chief Censor, Colonel Gibbon. Certain letters written by Mr Elliott as a trail for the Roman Catholics, were read in the House, and were so painful that members requested Mr Herdrnan to read no more. The charges made in them are of so serious a nature that it is the clear duty of Mr Elliott to place them in the hands of the police if they are correct. Mr Herdman stated that he could not believe that Mr Elliott had deliberately concocted the criminal accusations made in his letters. He dcisircd the House and tho country to understand that he is concerned neither with Roman Catholics nor Protestants, but only with the safety and wellbeing of the country, and that ho acted as ho considered best in this most serious matter.

Mr Hornsby's opportunity for martyrdom, has arrived. Ho had written to Box 912 denouncing the circular, and had received an assurance stating that pro-Romanist politicians will be remembered at tho next election. Using his undeniably useful voice to the greatest advantage, he gave the House a dissertation on religion, sectarian strife, his own connections, and his opinions in general. Mr Nosworthy and Mr Hickson (Ashburton and Parnelll woro not afraid to state that they still had their doubts, notwithstanding the findings of the Commission. Mr JDickson stated that the majority of the officials in tho Auckland Post Office were Roman Catholics, and that the Solicitor-general has too much power. Mr Nosworthy agreed, and also championed the Vigilance Committee (Box 912), which is at the root of the whole trouble. Mr M'Combs lashed himself into a fury, saying that the Attorney-general had been most unfair in his reference to and treatment of Semple, and had caused Semple's arrest; but had feared to arrest Mr Elliott, who, it was admitted, had been stirring up strife _ and prejudicing recruiting. Sir Joseph Ward wais pluinly pleased 'with tho attitudo of tho House generally, and especially pleased with tho support of the Attorney-general, whom he publicly thanked, that afternoon in the House. His, also, was the opportunity for dignified martyrdom, he being a Roman Catholio, "one of a minority," etc., etc.. etc. Tho accusation re Roman Catholics in the post office is a storm in a teacup, but it sufficed, and tho pathetic touch was used adroitly; nor was the opportunity neglected to refer to tho funeral of Major Redmond, which was attended by men of all religious persuasions. Plainly, sectarian strife is not approved by ths House, and tho afternoon was spent in saying so.

Neverthelrs-3, when tha Expeditionary Forces Amendment Bill is discussed, and the Mnrist Brothers, and whether they should or should not be exempted, it will bo necessary for tho Speaker to say —and more than once—" Members, you should never let your angry passions .rise." Sir James Allen has stated that, it is not necessary to conscript boys of 19, because

already thoy may be accepted if they have the consent of their parents. He and the Prime Minister have both stated that the Government intends to do its utmost for the benefit of Second Division men. There is a very strong feeling among members that further legislation concerning the Expeditionary Forces should not take place until the House has had an opportunity to consider the policy of the Government in regard to pensions; at present members are really in the dark.

There was a long-winded debate over Mr Witty's Parliamentary Election Postponement Bill; speeches to the point and otherwise were made, and members generally appeared to be barking up the wrong tree. Boundary Commissioners have been busy on the boundaries of the electorates. Members see in this action preparation for a general olection, and, remembering tho Prime Minister's recent promise that if a majority 'desire a general election thoy shall have it, members are mistiiied 'at his action in requesting the Speaker to rule Mr Witty's Bill out of order, tho reason given being that tho Bill involves "an appropriation." The Boundary Commissioners are at work, and yet it is plainly stated their work is in no way connected with preparations for an election, nor does it affect the chances of absent soldiers invoting if such an election should occur. There was visible delight on the countenances of Ministers when the Speaker ruled the Bill out, and equally visible rue in the expression of Mr Witty. What does it all mean? Tho Prime Minister stiil states that ho is willing for an election if a majority declares in favour of it. Possibly, he wishes to choose his own time for realising that desire. It is alleged that certain Reform members and many Liberals fear the growing esteem in which Mr Isitt is held. Is it that vacant Cabinet seat?

The Registration of Aliens Bill has been discussed in committee and reported with amendments. It is clear that no one can be naturalised at present, and that the Government intends to safeguard the interests of the Dominion. The Bill applies to all unnaturalised aliens over 15 years of age. livery resident of New Zealand ? not of British birth ih to bo required to register and give details concerning himself and his affairs to the registration officers. Replying to Dr Thaoker, Mr Russell said that the Bill also refers to friendly and neutral countries. Mr Poole made remarks about alien seamen, and Dr Newman very rashly referred to an alleged German influence in the Cabinet. He wished the aliens to be very firmly dealt with. He would like to see them doing useful worK for the country. So would other people. Sir James Allen, replying to Mr Reed (Bay of Islands), said that we oannot conscript men who are not British born; nor would it be wise to do so if we could. He disapproved of the suggestion to deal moro severely with interned men and with prisoners, and points out the dangers which might follow r.uch a course. The Government was scolded very severely about its alleged leniency in the treatment of interned Germans and others. Mr T. M. Wilford's Native Land Act Amendment Bill has passed its first reading after an interesting discussion concerning the term "King," as applied by Mr Wilford in reference to the Maori Te Rata. The Bill proposes to open up 12,000 acres of the King Country for the benefit of the Maoris. It was the southern member, Parata, who objected to the titla "King." The chiefs of the South Island are as high as the chiefs of the North, and no one i 3 to forget it. The King of England is the Maori King. Otherwise, Mr Parata supported the'Bill. Mr Fraser (Minister of Public Works), when pressed, made the non-committal statement that if the ncw\ Chamber is ready next session members shall sit in it. This is considered very kind of Mr Fraser, who assures the House that Mr Ell is quite wrong in saying .that the Government architect is doing the Government stroke. Dr Thacker neglects no opportunity to talk shop, and suggests that the present Chamber shall be hermetically sealed during week-ends, and fumigated. Nevertheless the Prime Minister points out that there is little sickness in the House this year, and this is attributed to short hours. The House sits on Mondays in future, and the Prime Minister fondly hopes that the session will be over in a month. Ahead lie considerable differences of opinion. The . Government's attitude to hotel hours is at last disclosed. Five hours' reduction of the hours of sale are proposed. The hotels are to open at 9 and close at 8. This may not suit the Moderates. It will not suit the Prohibition party; nor does it suit those who agitate for 6 o'clock closing. Marist Brothers, Pensions, Liquor—-all still to be discussed, and all to bo done, the Prime Minister hopes, in one month.

The House is interested to hear that the Efficiency Board still exists. The Prime Minister is a member, and has evidently invited Sir Joseph fo join him. Mr T. K. Sidey's Daylight Saving Bill has once more moved, and Dunedin's member was clapped when he rose. The Bill's second reading was passed on the voices, though Mr Okey. the Taranaki farmer opponent, shouted so loud a '-'No" that the rafters echoed. Opportunity for the third reading will bo given, but the Prime Minister hinted that there has been a change of opinion since the Daylight Saving idea was first propounded, and that things here are not as they are in England. The Bill has been called "T. K.'s hardy annual," and is regarded as a good jest by some people, and as a very noxious weed by others.

Members waxed eloquent on the subject of toll gates this week. Apparently they are a very great nuisance in Taranaki. Mr Wilkinson (Egmont) moved to abolish them, and the matter has proceeded no further.

Mr Hmdmarsh's Shops and Offices Amendment Bill has met with the approval of the Government, and will bo taken up. Mr Hindmarsh, having in view only the welfare of the girls who servo in marble bars, etc., has agreed to bo so patronised.