Mr. Speaker . . .

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 714, 13 July 1929, Page 1

Mr. Speaker . . .

Session Queries and Asides (THE SUSS Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Friday. Parliament has gone through another week of talk and argument on the Address-in-Reply, and each day the burden of speech lies heavier and heavier on the neck of the unfortunate listener. No heed has been paid to the pleas ot the Labour Party to "cut the cackle." The debate in all probability will end on Tuesday. Although the week has been dull, there have been several bright spots. The most notable, of course, was the maiden speech of Mr. D. McDougall (Mataura). Some years ago there was a popular book by Steele Rudd, "Dad in Politics.” Mr. McDougall might be the hero of a similar story. Not only the House, but most people in Wellington are chuckling over the remarkable effort. Members of Opposition and Government rolled helplessly round in their seats at some of the Mataura member's sallies, which he admitted afterward to Mr. Speaker might have been the result of straying on the broad path. The path certainly was broad.

One’s sympathy went out to Mr. Speaker during that hour of comedy. He is fortunate in being a man of strong self-control, for otherwise he could not have upheld the dignity of his position while listening to Scotian ramblings. It was noticed that Mr. Speaker's head was bowed at times and that his glasses were low down on his nose. Sartorial Surprises Truly Parliament Is a place of sartorial surprises. First we had Mr. D. McDougall’s tartan waistcoat, and today the Rev. G. L. Carr (Timaru) appeared in full and immaculate clerical garb. Mr. T. Makitanara (Southern Maori) has one of the brightest efforts in scarves that has been seen in Wellington for a long time, and one can always pick him up by that splash of colour S 4 , The first two Government measures of the session went through their first readings today. They were the Local Authorities Empowering (Aviation Encouragement) Bill and the Scaffolding and Excavation Amendment Bill. Two private members' Bills also were read a first time—Sir George Hunter’s Gaming Amendment Bill and the Defence Amendment Bill, sponsored by Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Auckland Suburbs). * • * Before deciding on the Napier-Gis-borne mail service. Mr. W. E. Barnard (Napier) uraed upon the PostmasterGeneral (the Hon. J. B. Donald), the Minister should take into consideration the formation of a commercial aviation company in Napier. * * • Is Parliamentary aid being sought early this session to straighten out the Christchurch Cathedral Square tangle? In the House today Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) gave notice to introduce an amendment to the Christchurch City Reserves Act, 1877.

A Song for Mr. Poison Evidently well up in the latest popular songs Mr. H. G. Dickie (Patea) criticised another member of the House today with music. There was quite a brisk little passage with Mr. Speaker intervening. “It was most amusing,” said Mr. Dickie, “to hear the views of the member for Egmont, Mr. W. J. Poison, on the wheat and flour question. Apparently Mr. Poison did not know where he stood.” A Member: He doec:. want to know. Mr. Dickie: He represents the Farmers’ Union, too. A fine example of a unionist sitting on the fence. It reminds me of the popular song entitled “There Ain't No Fun Sitting on a Fence All by Yourself in the Moonlight.” A Member: In the moonshine. Mr. Speaker: Order, order. “We want to know where He stands,” added Mr. Dickie. A Voice: He will know shortly. Mr. Dickie: Yes, but wq can’t wait for ever. He will have to come off the fence sooner or later. Sayings of the Week | Mr. A. W. Hall (Hauraki): And that was said by the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs: No harm has been done by allowing a week s open | season for Paradise ducks because ; that drives them back to their haunts I and they multiply. Mr. J. A. Young (Hamilton): How j can they go back when you’ve shot j them? ”Tlie member who resented that con- ; stituency . . .”—Mr. D. McDougall (Mataura!. “There’s been a good deal of talk in j the House since I came into it.” —Mr. McDougall is candid. ”... and this man was responsible for importing some of the finest i hydradendrons.”—Mr. H. S. S. Kyle j (Riccarton) adds to botany. ‘The land policy is the only one that will give the necessary flip to settlement.” —Mr. R. W. Hawke (Kalapoi) flops with his vocabulary.