NOTES FROM THE GALLERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20052, 15 September 1920, Page 7

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY.

PARLIAMENT DAY BY DAY. DOINGS IN THE HOUSE. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, September 14. THE TE AROHA LEASES. Fate and leaseholders are very materially 'delaying the progress of the To Arolia Crown Leases Bill, under which tho Government proposes to allow lessees to secure the freehold. The proposal was first brought before Parliament last session, when it appeared as a clause in a bag of mysteries known as tho Washing-up Bill. Members of the Opposition immediately raised tho objection that the proposal was fur too important to bn dealt with in that manner, and accordingly tho clause was withdrawn and brought in this session in the form of a Bill. In due course it was referred to the Lands Committee, which endeavoured to table its report on August 25, only to find leaseholders talkative enough'to carry on-/the debate until interrupted by tho 5.30 p.m. adjournment. Another attempt was made to-day to tabje tho Report, but again there was decided opposition. At one. time it looked ns though the Report might bo allowed to bo tabled, but unexpected aid was given to the opposition by innocent supporters of the measure, - who took up time in trying to convince confirmed leaseholders of the error of their ways. The Hon J. A. Hanan was one of the most successful of tho opposition. lie talked upon all sides of the question for some time, and then mentioned tho names of soma other members whose views bo would like to hear. Mr Downio Stewart and Mr D. Jones scorned to think that Mr Hanan’s anxiety to hear their views was not so real as his unvoiced hope that they would help to spin out tho time until 5.30 p.m., but Mr (Lysnar rose to the bait, and took up somo time explaining why Mr Hanan was wrong in refusing the freehold in this instance. When Mr Lysnar seemed in danger of sitting down the member for Invercargill plied him with interjections, which the Gisborne member seemed to feel it bis" duty not to let go by unnoticed. Meanwhile Mr Hanan and several fellow leaseholders were smiling broadly. It is far less fatiguing to get an opponent to do one’s stonewalling. When Alt Lysnar had done there wero still several opponents to the Bill willing to speak, and there was no difficulty in filling in time until the adjournment. Underlying all their remarks was the fear that the Bill might be the forerunner of others which would endeavour to sell national endowments, but none of tho Ministers was drawn into the debate. The Prime Minister’s only contributions was when a Christchurch member asked him whether they could take It that the Government would not attempt to do this, to which ho replied smilingly, “I am giving no rash promises.” WAR TROPHIES’ COMMITTEES. Out of tho experience of many years spent in politics Sir R. H. Rhodes‘gave tho new member for Awarua (Mr J. R. Hamilton) a little homely advice. Mr Hamilton had asked the Minister a question as to the character of tho committees that were to be set up in each district to distribute the war trophies allocated to military districts. He indicated 1 hat the committees in Southland could not get any satisfaction in tho matter, and he wanted to know what would be the composition of the committees. Tho Minister, after giving the member information,, remarked that ho was yet young in politics, and be advised him that in matters where n decision had to be come to as to sites for public bulidings, and in such affairs as the distribution of trophies, whero all sections bad to be pleased, - it was the wise member of Parliament who remained off committees. MR PARRY AND THE COUNCIL OF ACTION. “ Whero do you get your proof that the Council _ of Action represents 6,000,000 British workmen?” asked Mr S. G. Smith (Taranaki) of Air Parry (Auckland) last night in tho House. ‘ ‘ Tho honourable gentleman ought to know, if be reads anything about the industrial opinion of England,” retorted Mr Parry. “But,” interrupted tho Independent Labour member for Taranaki, “ where do you get your proof?” Mr Parry; “From union membership.’’ Mr Smith: “But did they take a ballot?” Mr Parry (scornfully): “Did they take a ballot?” (Interruptions.) , Mr Parry went on to say that the Government of New Zealand considered they represented the rank and file of New Zealand. “Wo say they represent a minority of the people, and it is just as logical, and more logical, for me to say that a decision arrived at by the Council of Action in England is just as true a reflection of tho wishes ami aspirations—” The Speaker, rising to point out that Mr Parry had strayed from his point, cried “Order”; but the member went on, and raising bis voice, talked down the cries of “ Order” till lie bad finished. The Speaker, rather more severely than usual, told Mr Parry that when ho called for order no member must continue speaking. He must resume Ins seat. “I called on the member twice,” bo said, “ before he did so.” Air Parry said ho was sorry he had not soon the Speaker, rise to his feet and he apologised for having continued.”