"TAKING THE CAKE."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10871, 11 September 1913, Page 2

"TAKING THE CAKE."

"You take the cake," said Mr Russell to Mr Herdman last night, when tho pair were wasting tlio precious hours of Parliament in a discussion about a matter which really did not matter. Mr Herdman, it appeared, had managed to get a point on to the member for Avon by rising to reply before the latter could let loose tho flood-gates of his eloquence. It seems from the evidence that by some means or other Mr Russell has managed to get hold of a confidential report from tho Chief Commissioner of tho Public Trust Office to the Minister in charge of the Department, containing Some candid criticism of departmental methods. If Mr Russell were the Minister and Mr Herdman were the gentleman who had done the interception we can imagine how indignant Avon's representative would have been. The point is that 110 public purpose can'be served by members of Parliament intercepting confidential reports. Therefore it is not worth while. It causes trouble, wastes time, and effects exactly nothing. There are a great many matters which require serious consideration from our legislators. For goodness' sake let them give over making much ado about nothing and get to work.