PARLIAMENT AND THE ALL BLACKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 16

PARLIAMENT AND THE ALL BLACKS.

HONOURING THE NATIONAL SPORT. WELLINGTON, August 18.

As soon as prayers had been read in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr Speaker, Mr L. M. Isitt rose in his place and suggested that the House should adjourn for a couple of hours for the football match. New Zealand v. Wellington. Apart from strong drink and gambling Mr Isitt is generally recognised in the House as a "sport," and there, was achorus of "Hear, hears" when he suggested that the All Blacks were the representatives of the national sport of New Zealand, and that it was a wonderfully clean sport, too. He added that it was a sport that developed the manhood of the dominion. He said hon, members would bo quite content to sit till midnight to make up for this brief spell off. —Hon. Members: '\riear, hear." It would- be a good thing, he thought, to do this in honour of the All Blacks.

Mr W. S. Glenn (Rangitikei), who was a distinguished member of the famous All Black team, and who is as popular in the House as he wag on the football field, rrodestly supported the proposal as "an exNew Zealand footballer." It would be a compliment, he said, to pay to those : New Zealander« who had been so worthily upholding the national sport in Australia if the House adjourned for a couple of hours to enable members to see the match. Mr Massey, his face beaming with his genial smile, rose to reply, and was greeted with such a round of applause that whatever his inclinations may have been, he -

could scarcely tinder the circumstances say "Nav." As a matter of fact he said "Yes," but "he added it must not be regarded as a precedent, and the favour would be granted only on condition that hon. members did an extra two hours' work. Mr .Witty interjected: "You'll do the same for racing," But to this Mr Massey gave an emphatic negative. However, the victorious All Blacks were worthy of honour, and as the lawyers would say he was willing, without prejudice, to agree to the general wish of hon. members. —(Applause.) Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston North): There is a feeling among members of the House that they would like the Primo Minister to accompany them. —(Laughter.) Mr Massey: I thank you very much, but I would like the formal business of the House transacted first. . ' This was agreed to and afterwards the Prime Minister moved that the House adjourn till 7.30 p.m. Mr H. B. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) objected to the adjournment of the House to enable members to go to a football match. . An Hon. Member (sarcastically): 'Hear, hear."