NOTES FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9192, 21 September 1891, Page 3

NOTES FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

We tnko the following somewhat amusing 1 article from tho Olago Witness : — See dem Labour men in Council in do Hall of Parliament Why it's givon mo ono big headache ebo since do night 1 wont ; And de langwoage which dey uses I should hesitate to write. And de names dey call each othor — it would make de Zulu fight. Such, with a slight variation, wore the words put into the mouth of Cetywayo after he visited tho British Parliament, and thay aro called to my memory now by the recent doings in Parliament. What with Fish and tho Women's Franchise : Mr T. Ironsand Smith and the bound 'ess forests of hia native province ; the Mac-kenzie-Campbell-Richa-daon incident ; and the subsequent disgraceful conduct of Mr Ballanco and his party in censjring Mr Bryce for alleged unparliamentary languago, our so called legislators have been Having " a high old time of it 1" On the afteraoon of Monday the 24th August, the veteran Sir John Hall— who for years has championed tho cause of tho ladies — appeared in his placo to move the reading of the Female Franchiao Bill. He made a very sensiblo speech, tho best part of which- was in criticism of Mr Fish, who t ho stated was af rai 1 the passing of the bill would sound tho knell of his political existence. Afterwards when Mr Fish got up to speak it really looked as if Sir John Hall had hit the mark, and wo woro irresistibly reminded of Punch's DUFFER DICTATOR. Another Republic from Plato's Ib that where such orators vile ; He is reckoned to be small potatoes, Tho* perhaps he is hardly a fool. ; For hours he can talk without stammer Gieat in brag and in blester is he ! KjAnd, Oh ! the remarkable grammar j Of Duffer, M.P. 1 Mr Fißh was more forcible than polite, more energetic than logical. He shouted and gesticulated till he got very warm, and then hud to stop and wipe himself down with his pocket handkerchief. The only thing about him that suggested coolness was his white waiscoat. Words, -words, words — they seemed to flow on for ever, like Tennyson's brook, only they made considerably more noise. Four o'clock, five, half-past, on he went, till the dinner bell brought brought him up by the round turn. After dinner he started ofE again, and talked till all was blue ; but the end camo at last, and tho weary House heaved a sigh of relief. In the "wee sma' 'oors ' the division was .taken, and Mr Fish found himself among the vanquishes. Then ho fumed and blustered, and blustered and fumed, lashing foe and friend alike, a*hd eventually declared he was so disgusted with Mr Ballance that he would no longer support his Government. Tbe Premier gives a sigh of relief. It has all along been a case of " save me from my friends." However, it is only what was expected, sooner or later ; the name thing had occurred before, and we knew it would occur again, aud now we have only to say to Mr Henry Smith Fish, jun. ,M.H.R.: — When you talk of changing parties And jumping of " Jim Grow," Just think how oft the word with you Has been " about you go !" But, after all, Mr Fish's severance was short -lived. He changed his seat, went over to the Opposition, and supported them for — a day 1 Mr Taranaki Ironsand Smith, who, by the way has blossomed out into a belltopper and white waistcoat, gave us one of his usual exhibitions, only it was a little more usually usual than usual. To Mr Smith's mind Taranaki is Paradise, and he is its sbowmau. There ig one thing about Mr Smith's ebullitions, however — they are not like Mr Fish's, so "frequent and painful and free," and though they are perfectly harmless, they afford a great deal of amusement to the House. Mr Smith is in ahort a European edition of the late lamented Sydney Taiwhanga. On the present occasion he converted the House into a museum of the products of Taranaki, and as one after another "exhibf appeared on the scane and Mr Smith gesticulated and shouted, the House screamed with laughter, but could not help admiring his earnestness. He referred in glowing terms to what he termed the " hexcellent geographicaJL physician" of Taranaki. Later on when he viewed certain •' proceedin's with 'orror," some unkind member ejaculated — " with what 1" " With 'orror, sir 1" retorted Mr Smith, as he proceeded on the oven tenor of his way, beating the air with his arms, and using a voice that shook the chandeliers as the earthquake did a few nights previously. But, after all, as I have said, there is no harm in Mr Smith, and friend and foe alike laugh at him, The Honse piped to a different tune on the afternoon of the 27th when the Premer asked that Mr Bryco's wordß regarding him be taken down, and a weak-kneed Speaker, on his own responsibility, ordered the galleries to be cleared. Your own correspondent will have acquainted your readers with what led up to this incident, and also with the subsequent events. On the Thursday afternoon feeling ran high, and, after the ridiculous vote of censure had been carried, friend and foe alike, with a few exceptions, felt sorry for what had been done. Then, on the following day ; camo the last scene, when the veteran politician, who has been a landmark in New Zealand for many years — the man who ia noted for his honesty and integrity of purpose, the man whoso forbearance and straightforward nens are admired on all hands — having had his laßt say, stepped down from his seat, walked to the head of the long table, and, making a low obeisance to Mr Speaker, walked out of the Chamber amid the cheers from the Oppoaition benches, perhaps to return there no more. Later on came the resignation. Such an incident had never before been witnessed in that House. Musing upon it, sadly and silently, " Autolycua" climbing down from the gallery, away from the polluted air, wandered forth into the green fields, where tho birds sang, and the sunshine played hide-and-seek among the tree leaves, quoting as he went a little thing about