PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 37

PARLIAMENTARY GALLERY NOTES.

By Pat.

WELLINGTON, September 22. Who would be Prime Minister in a National Government? Curses to right of him, curses to left of him 1 Blame for everything, credit for nothing ! And all tne time the other fellow is stacking up a little kudos, a little fame, and from whose shoulders responsibility is lifted. Six o’clock closing has passed, and the Government proposal (which was labelled “Do what you like with it’’) has been defeated. Tuesday afternoon was a memorable one. The Prime Minister, with other representatives of the Government, stood on the steps of Parliament House find awaited the coming of a deputation which was to number thousands. Truth compels the writer to admit that the much-discussed deputation did not present a very dignified front. It marched through the city streets, and it was to have gathered thousands of sympathisers by the way. Perhaps it did; but it also gathered others who are averse to 6 o’clock, 8 o’clock, or any other early closing, and the result was a sort of scrimmage round the foot of the steps. Idle curiosity seemed to bo the motive power behind the crowd. The 6 o’dockers had not organised as well as people had expected them to do. Nevertheless the speakers were able to make their pleae, and the Prime Minister answered them. Even his groat voice would have been well served that evening with a megaphone. Proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem and loud cries for 6 o’clock or nothing. At night the galleries of the House were packed, and very many disappointed people were refused admittance, there being no further room in the Chamber. In moving his Bill the Prime Minister appealed to the House to aqcept the verdict in the spirit of true sportsmen. In support of the Bill, ho argued that the position had to be faced as men of the world- an d that the licensed trade was deserving of protection because it is licensed. Fully alive to the seriousness of .the position, the Prime Minister continued with an excellently-pre-pared speech, recalling to the memory of members ,the steps already taken by the Government to restrict the sale of liquor and to protect any soldiers who require protection. The debate continued with many arguments for and against. Of the speeches made by the 6 o’clockers that of Mr Poole is memorable. It was earnest and sincere, and came from a man who is not a crank, but who sneaks wisdom gained by experience. He, with others, regretted that the Government had seen fit to disregard the recommendation of the Efficiency Board. The Attorney-general dealt with Mr Poole and others in a speech which was not remarkably brilliant if It is to be regarded as a piece of special pleading. Frankly it was disappointing to people who, disagreeing with Mr Hofdman on the liquor question, yet admire the firm stand he invariably takes in supporting 1 his principles. His arguments were not as forcible as usual. The - demand for 6 o’clock closing ho considers a piece of impertinence, and he looks upon the whole _ controversy as a struggle between jjrohibitionists and others who are tolerant in their views, Phe pleading, though well prepared and advanced with the quotation of statistics, was not convincing. The Hon. Mr Russell stated hia for voting against the 8 o’clock clause in the Bill. Earlier closing meant a reduction in indulgence and a curb upon extravagance. Therefore he proposed to vote for 6 o’clock closing because the earlier nours would mean increased facilities for helping the “ war winning policy.” Scoffers declare that this astute politician sees in the now electoral divisions the chance that he and Mr Witty will be candidates for the same district. Mr Witty is not an earlycloser—far from it. Immense excitement on the afternoon of Thursday. The Bill was in committee, and when the word “eight” in the second clause was read Mr_ Anderson moved the. amendment. A division was taken, and then events followed one another quicklv. Bight o’clock was lost by a majority of 17 votes. The Prime Minister, ever game, immediately rose, and stated .that he accepted the decision of the House, and proposed to move to insert the word “six.” Possibly the move was anticipated by some. It was an absolute knock-out to others.

The 6 o'clock amendment was carried by a majority of 24, and was supported by five Ministers, of whom the "Hon. Mr Myers, a brewer, was one. Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Herdman voted against it. Mr Herdman, with a moral courage which is called pig-headednees by some of his friends, went further, and followed Sir Joseph Ward into the lobby in support of an amendment to repeal the anti-shouting law. By accident Mr Herdman and Mr Webb returned to their seats in one and the same moment—united for once. In accepting the verdict, the Prime Minister referred to a hint given by himself on the preceding day. Ho considers that the recommendation of the Efficiency Board must be acted upon, and that the* question of prohibition or continuance in the near future must be decided by referendum. It is believed that there is more in this statement than reaches the eye, and it is rumoured in the galleries that, with the referendum. the much-discussed general election Will almost certainly take place. Sir Joseph Ward, looking the reverse of pleased, supported the Prime Minister in his view that the people themselves must decide this debatable subject, and that "right soon." Very seriously he reminded the House that the revenue lost from the drink traffic must be made up, and he regarded as ridiculous the airy way in which members argued that, because less money would be spent on drink, it would be saved. Plainly he considers that savings are valueless which do not go into the State coffers. Admitted, the position is serious, ns also is that of the licensees and landlords and others. The next problem is compensation. Is it necessary or is it not? The prohibitionists, generally speaking, nrguo that compensation is not required. The professional man is not compensated for his loss of income which is the direct result of the war; nor is the soldier compensated for his sacrifice in anv way. Why should the trade be favoured? Why. indeed, except that, because we are British, we include the trade in the sympathy which we extend to the soldier, the professional man, and all other sufferers from war.

Why did the Prime Minister move for 6 o'clock? The question is asked again «nd again by many who decline to behove that

he did h for "expectancy." Possibly be saw a very real possibility—namely, that the ardent enthusiasts for reform, in the height of their victory, might rush too far, as soldiers- do In moments of excitement. Suppose 4 o'clock had been moved by a prohibitionist. In that hour, when feeling ran high, 4 o'clock might have been carried. This is political gossip. The Defenoe Estimates provided Dr Thaoker with his opportunity, and he ran amok on the "subject of Colonel Gibbon and extravagance in Defence administration, very cruelly urging that certain officers in nigh estate should bo "sent" to the front. Surely he cannot believe that said officers are funking the front! Rather do tdbey daily rail at Fate, which seems to them most hard. The teeth of soldiers, and their treatment, were discussed in Parliament during the week, and Mr Young (himself a dentist) testified to the excellence Of the material supplied and the work accomplished in the Dental Department. Sir James Allen proved by statistics the necessity for dental care in childhood, and how Rental treatment for soldiers has preserved the health of thousands in the forges. It has been a great week; and there aire more to come, for pensions are still to bo discussed, and other questions of importance. Information has been extracted from the Defence Minister in re ina treatment of married men already serving. They will receive the benefits of legislation dealing with the Second Division soon, but the effects of the proposed legislation ai*e not retrospective. So much accomplished, but his worst enemies cannot accuse Sir James Allen of over-communicativeness.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. In replying to questions Ministers said : That as tho question of rating native lands wa3 highly contentious it was not proposed at present to introduce legislation dealing with it; that the Government hopei to bring down legislation this scission which would save from sacrifice the farms of men who had gone to the front to serve their country; that every endeavour was being made to secure suitable lands for discharged soldiers, and all demands were being met; that the Government was considering the advisability of granting an increaso of 2s per day to railway and other Government employees so as to allow to live with some degree of comfort; that every effort was being made to discover men who failed to register in the Expeditionary Force Reserve and to locate balloted men whose caises were still undisposed of; that the rent received under the canteen contract was part of the regimental funds, and was distributed by the Camp Commandant to the officers commanding the companies, of each reinforcement leaving New Zealand in proportion to tho number of men .in each unit and tho length of the training period; that medical treatment was provided free to all soldiens for any trouble contracted through serving in the Expeditionary Forces, but .if the sickness was the result of their own misconduct a hospital stoppage of 2s per day was made from their pay; that no person in receipt of the old age pension or an equivalent income—namely, 10s per week—had been refused a war pension because of such income. It was the invariable practioe to grant war pensions to. old age pensioners who applied for them in respect of deceased or disabled sons.