GETTING TOGETHER

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1929, Page 11

GETTING TOGETHER

PARLIAMENT’S NEW SPIRIT.

MEMORABLE SESSION PREDICTED.

. Interesting opinions on the new Pai> liament of New Zealand were expressed by speakers at a dinner at Eltham on Monday night, the gathering being indebted to Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., and Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., for a little “inside information.”

In proposing the toast of "Parliament,” Mr. 11. V. S. Griffiths, Mayor of New Plymouth, spoke of the pride of New Zealanders in the record of their

Legislature, which had given the world a lead in respect of humanitarian legislation> and in its freedom from corruption.

In the course of his reply Mr. Smith remarked that during the few days the present Parliament had been sitting it had become evident that, perhaps for the first time in the history of New Zealand, the members on all sides of the House of Representatives had an earnest desire to get together and help each other to solve the many problems confronting the people of the Dominion. If this spirit continued to prevail the present probably would be one of the best sessions ever held. So far as Taranaki’s interests were concerned, though the three Taranaki representatives present that evening sat in different parts of the House, they were all together when any matter affecting Taranaki was mentioned, and if any attack were made on the district or the people of Taranaki a solid body of Taranaki members rallied to the defence. Mr. Wilkinson said that Taranaki had always sent good men to Parliament, even as far back as the time when Sir Harry Atkinson had been its distinguished representative. The four Taranaki members now in the House kept up it very pleasant comradeship. Mr. Wilkinson complimented Mr. Smith on his appointment to the high office of Chairman of Committees, saying that Mr. Smith, he was sure, would carry out his exacting duties with dignity and tact and would be one of the best chairmen" the House had ever had.

“Reference has been made,” ‘added Mr. Wilkinson, "to three parties in the House, but I would mention the very important fourth party, the party of Independents. It is our job to keep the other three parties in order. Wo are a compact party of four, and we possess at least one orator, Mr. Rushworth, the representative of tho Country Party. Tho Independents are just as keen as anyone else to get together with all parties for the country’s good;” I