AT THE HOUSE

Southland Times, Issue 20833, 23 July 1929, Page 8

AT THE HOUSE

LETTERS FROM WILLIAM I MINISTER FOR NATIVE AFFAIRS DEALING WITH INTERJECTORS (Special to the Times.) Wellington, July 19. Dear Fred,—As I was indisposed with a severe cold I was unable to make my weekly visit to the House until last night (Thursday). I was fortunate, however, in hearing some very good speeches. Although I had not previously heard Sir Apirana Ngata speaking, I had heard quite a lot about his eloquence. He has, as you know, represented the Eastern Maoris for a number of • years, and in the present Cabinet holds the portfolio of Minister of Native Affairs. He is the first direct representative of the Native race to hold this important portfolio, and I am quite sure the appointriient must be gratifying to the Maori people of New Zealand. On several occasions during the present session members have paid graceful tributes to the Hon. Minister, showing the esteem in which he is held by parties from all sides of the House. As is only to be expected, he has the interests of his people very much at heart and his influence in the House should go a long way towards a better understanding between tho Maori people and the pakeha. His speech in the Address-in-Reply debate was mainly devoted to a survey of the problems affecting the Maori race. In the North Island in particular there are vast areas of Native lands which the Maoris are farming, but, chiefly owing to financial difficulties, they are retarded very much in their efforts. Throughout, his speech the Hon. Minister made a strong plea for assistance from the Government and stressed the point that the policy of the Young Maori Party was to compel the Maori to work and thus work out his own salvation.

I am digressing, however, as I know that you will be reading a full account of the speech supplied by the Press reporters. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Hon. Minister and was sorry when he sat down. By the courtesy of the House he was allowed an extension of time. I should mention that when a member’s time is up the Speaker sounds a gong and it is only when the House is unanimous that an extension is granted. It is most unusual for any hon. member to raise an objection. Sir Apirana Ngata has a pleasing and melodious voice that at no time becomes monotonous. He is fluent and, in my opinion, stands out as an object lesson for some of the younger members of the House. Maori Minister Popular. When he used Maori words they sounded soft and sweet, and altogether different from the slip-shod pronunciation that the majority of ‘ pakehas use. I felt on more familiar grounds when he was talking of Murihiku and the mutton-bird industry of the Southern Maoris and the thought flashed through my mind that you and I will have a mutton-bird supper the first time we meet again. At the conclusion of his speech the Hon. Minister was warmly applauded. It was also very marked that the Hon. Minister was subject to no interjections during the course of his speech and this, no doubt, is another tribute to his popularity. The speaker who followed was Mr A. M. Samuel, the member for Thames, and for several reasons I was anxious to hear him speak. I should mention here that there is a good deal of interjecting when hon. members are speaking, and amongst the most persistent in this respect I had marked the hon. member for Thames. It was for this reason, therefore, that I looked forward to Mr Samuel’s speech. Previously during the debate I noticed that some members who were fond of interjecting made a very feeble attempt at repartee when they held the floor. In fact, I made a mental note that when I take my seat in the House I intend to be very careful to refrain from this practice! However, in the case of the member for Thames I must admit that he usually scored well from any questions or remarks of members from the other side of the House. If on one or two occasions he did find himself in a bit of a corner, he accepted the position in a philosophic manner and usually managed to turn the point so that the laugh was with and not against him. He had the House in good humour, and it must be a relief to the hon. members to be able to enjoy a good hearty laugh at times. In congratulating Sir Apirana Ngata on his elevation to Cabinet rank, Mr Samuel remarked that he could speak as a friend and with some feeling, because on one occasion the Hon. Minister had stayed with him for some months. Bad Marks Erased. Mr Samuel, whose name gives the clue to his nationality, quickly added “not, of course, without remuneration”! Mr Samuel is a good speaker and it is easy to see that he is an old hand at the game. The good humour shown by him throughout his speech puts him on side with me and wipes off the bad marks I had entered against his name for being such a persistent interjector! The hon. member also tried to draw the Labour Party and twitted them on the armed truce that existed between that party and the'Government. He was unable to get a “bite” and consoled himself with the statement that owing to the silence of the members of the Labour Party in this debate it was the hardest time they had had since they came into the House. Mr Samuel anticipated that he was going to thoroughly enjoy himself on the Opposition Benches. From the tone of his speech last night I should say he is. Before resuming his seat the hon. member complimented the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister on again attaining office and considered that there was no man in New Zealand to-day who had done more for New Zealand. He further said that it was his opinion that without the mana of Sir Joseph the United Party would not be where it is to-day. It is certainly refreshing to hear members on opposite sides throwing bouquets to one another but, as the hon. member for Thames remarked, you should be careful at times to see there is no cayenne pepper in them. By the by, one of the recommendations for the new Standing Orders is that members must not interrupt the hon. member who is addressing the House. From a “gallery” point of view this will take away front the debates, but I suppose we should bear in mind the fact that the members are Here to carry on the business of the country and not to afford us entertainment. The Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands, was the next speaker, but unfortunately the supper adjournment came shortly after he had risen to speak and I did not wait for the House to resume. That is another form of the House: At 9.30 p.m. the Speaker announces the adjournment until 10 p.m. So far I have not been fortunate enough to be treated to hot toast and coffee, and usually do not wait for the House to resume. I have heard of an establishment called Bellamay’s, but cannot give you any particulars. At the same time, I am living in hopes 1 Opinion of Mr Forbes. The Hon. Minister of Lands sits in the same seat as the Prime Minister. He is solidly built, and impresses one by his appearance. He does not appeal as a fluent speaker, but rather gives one the impression that he fully realizes the responsibilities of his position and that he has the necessary grit and determination for the job I’m inclined to think that he is the kind of speaker that grows on one. and that after becoming familiar with his style one could follow him better. In any case, I will have some future opportunity of giving you my opinion on the Hon. Mr Forbes. I notice by the daily Press that over half the members of the House have so

far taken advantage of the opportunity of speaking on this debate, so surely one can expect its conclusion early next week. The speakers have covered a multitude of subjects with unemployment, the land question, wheat duties, and last, but not least, the Railway programme, chief among the more important questions touched on. My political education is improving by leaps and bounds. I now know that an bon. member is not permitted to quote statements made in a previous debate, that if the Speaker takes exception to an expression it must be withdrawn immediately, and also that when anything is withdrawn a following speaker should not allude to it. These are things that the hon. Speaker pulled members up for last evening. Several of the “Southland Farmers” party were in visitors seats on the floor of the House last night, and the Southland Parliamentary members were attentive in escorting them to prominent seats. Do you know that it was stated the other day that it costs the country approximately £lOOO per annum for each member in the House? I’ll have to see if we are getting full value for the money spent. Before I forget I must tell you that the hon. member for Mataura had the honour of his photo, in the Dominion last Saturday as “An Address-ip-Reply Highlight.”—Cheerio, till next week. BILL.