POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10813, 5 July 1913, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Orra Oobbesfondknt.] WELLINGTON, July 5. GETTING- INTO OFFICE. MR WITTY ON THE OPERATION, " How did the Massey Government get Into power?" asked Mr Witty from the Opposition benches last night. He proceeded to explain some of his own ideas as to how it happened. While the Mackenzie Government was in power, said tho speaker, a member of the Reform Party went touting around among the Liberals, and stated that Mr Mackenzie was provided for. " Our party was sold," declared Mr Witty. ' The Government were the buyers, and the price paid to one man was the High Commissionership.'' The Prime Minister: That is a serious reflection on tho High Commis-

sioner Mr Witty: Yes. If be were here I ■would say it to his face. The Prime Minister: That is not correct.

Mr Witty declared that a. certain momber of tho Liberal Party took around a paper asking _ members to sign. If he got a certain number of signatures he was to get a place in tho Massey Ministry. This was how they got into power. £3OO FOR MOKAU JONES.

A payment of £3OO has been made to Sir Joshua Jones, bf Mokau land fame, as a result of the recommendation of a Parliamentary Committee last session. Attached to this item in tho financial returns is an explanation that tho £3OO was paid on the understanding that no further payment is made till Parliament meets. THE FUN DOCTOR.

The volatile member for Wellington East, Dr Newman, effervesced yesterday afternoon to the general gaiety of members on both sides. '' Politics is a curious game with its ups ar.d downs," ho began, and after gently chiding the member for' Otaki for his attitude towards the reigning Administration, looked across at the member for Avon. "There is my friend Mr Russell," he beamed. " lie made a good and charming speech yesterday, much bettor than he usually makes. (Roars of laughter.) He cursed everything done by the Government, but did it so nicely —nob like soma people—out of the venom of his blackened heart. Does my friend remember it?" Looking towards the Labour benches, amid a renewed outburst of merriment, "But when ho got another quarter of an hour and plunged into finance we understood why the Prime Minister was so generous," and the laugh again went round. THE SPOILS DOCTRINE.

"Spoils to the victors" appears to be qui to an acceptable political doctrine with Mr M'Callum (Wairau), according to his statement in the House yesterday. He made a complaint that a. member of the I/and Hoard of he* district who did not support _ Refi (Jfc had been replaced by someone in acijjft sympathy with the Government. _ i am quito willing that they should give these positions to their own supporters." he added quito frankly. " but why ignore tho member? 1 claim to hnvo a right to bo consulted, and will give them my best judgment." Air M'Callum. explained that he could have named a good Reformer, an ex-member of Parliament who lived in the d-strict, in te:ul of the man appointed, who was not in touch with the area he represented.