STONEWALLING A BILL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14509, 12 November 1909, Page 2

STONEWALLING A BILL.

A SHAMEFUL WASTE OF TIME.

MUSICAL MEMBERS.

(By Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON. Nov. 1«" ' It was hardly conceivable that a 'whole evening should have been wasted ■ in Parliament to-night, especially at a time "when every moment must be tamed to' good account, if even half the programme outlined by the Premier is to be passed this session. Such was the case, however. The New Zealand Society of Musicians Bill (introduced by Mr. T. K. Sidey) was committed and promptly used as an easy and safe means of blocking further discussion on Mr. Herdman's Public Service Bill. Tfce Premier had left for Christchurch, and the team got slightly out of hand. An atrocious waste of time took place, and the exhibition had not even the saving grace of humour. On one occasion, when Mr. G. W. Russell was speaking, Mr. Greenslade inquired, "Are you a musician f" . * "Only very slight," replied Mr. Russell. ; , "What is your favourite instrument P" persisted Mr. Greenslade. "Sometimes the piano and sometimes the organ. I tried the flute, but my wife objected," he answered. "What about the bagpipes," interjected Mr. Colvin, and so on. It was getting pretty painful, when Mr. T. E. Taylor suggested' that the fate of the Bill should be settled. He would prefer to listen to a debate oa , the control of the civil service, at' the same time; Mr. Sidey appeared to have a fad for incorporating people. He incorporated the dentists. In this particular instance Mr. Sidey would have kept Mosart himself out of the society, Mr. Sidey was a most dangerous man. — (Laughter.) Mr. Sidey did not look ' like an anarchist, and for that reason he would be allowed to carry a committee into a children's hospital — Stw Uus Mr. Buck CNdrthejrn Maoris' representative) took a hand. He wanted to Know whether a person. Who had played a tin whistle for five years wouldbe entitled to register under the Bill. Then what of the Maoris and the nose flute, an instrument 'made from the arm bone of >a fallen enemy. These are fair samples of the illumin- ■ 'ating comments which were offered on the art of music and the, needs of musicians, and yet Parliament's time is supposed to be precious. ,