PICKINGS FROM PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16583, 16 November 1921, Page 6

PICKINGS FROM PARLIAMENT.

(Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, November 10. MR HOWARD AND THE WORKERS “ What had Government done for tho benefit of the workers in the way of legislation,” was a question, which Mr Howard (Christchurch South) paused in a. speech to ask the House. He challenged the Prime Minister to mention ono piece of legislation introduced for tho benefit of tho workers. Mr Massey remained silent, whereupon Mr Howard predicted that at the adjournment the Minister would go to his private secretary and say, as he scratched his head, “ TeLL m© what wo have done for the workers..” “To that,” said Mr Howard, ‘‘ tho secretary, if he were truthful, woyld say, ‘Sir, we have done all the workers.’ ” THE WRITING ON THE WALL. It appears that a now version of the Bible has been unearthed by the Minister of Agriculture. This became apparent when the Hon W. NoKworfby cxpressed the opinion that Mr Stathain (Dunedin Central) was no prophet. He based this assertion on Mr Statham’s interpretation of the Babylonian, finger’s writing on the wall. The Babylonian finger, said Air Nosworthy, had written “ Mene mene, or something of that sort and aroused the hilarity of the House, but it was as nothing to that which greeted his reconstruction of the situation. He Baid ho was afraid Mr Statham had not power to decipher hieroglyphics* but there would come 4 time when would realise that the writing on the wall was really this, ” Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast done faithful! in many things, I will make thee master ot many.” APPEAL TO RETAIN BRUCE. Mr John Edie (Bruce) is anxious that, if ho is to lose his electorate, at any rate his elecorato shall not ipse its name. In the House he drew the attention of the Prime Minister to the names of two old Otago electorates, Bruce and Wallace. Would the Prime Minister.be in favour of the name of Bruce being retained out of compliment to the Scotch settlers? The Prime Minister said the matter rested the Boundaries Commissioners. If they made a recommendation on the matter it was not likely the Government would reject it. He would like to see the name retained, as he had also a partiality for Scotch names, and a great regard for Scotch heroes; but if it came to choosing between Bruce and Clutha, which had also a definite association both past and present, he would not care to say which name should be retained. MONUMENT OR TOMBSTONE. What Mr Forbes regards as a monumental example of the inefficiency of the present Government is the new Parliamentary Buildings. He said so today, with much enthusiasm and at great length. The Hon W. Nosworthy, who replied, was equally enthusiastic in reminding Mr Forbes that tho Reform Party, when in Opposition, opposed the building project which was started by tho Liberals. Mr Forbes: “What I want to know is, wha will finish itP” The Hon W. Nosworthy referred to the difficulties arising from the war and other causes which had delayed the completion of the building. He said that when the previous Government had been on the eve of defeat, hanging on by one vote or something like it, it had rushed off to a monumental mason and had a tombstone engraved, so as to begin building. That proved to be the tombstone on the grave of the Liberal Government. TOURIST RESORT CHARGES. Indication that the charges at touristresorts are to be increased was given by the Minister in charge of this Department. When speaking in. the House the Hon W. Nosworthy said he had found that, except for one or two increases authorised by himself, there had been no alterations made in the charges since 1913, and all the time the Department had been bearing the increased cost resulting from the increased cost of living. He had now taken steps to alter this, and members would have no cause to complain of the Tourist Department in future. Those who wanted tourist resorts and such things in future, would have to pay, because the Government was not out to find luxuries for the people at a charge which was practically nothing in some cases. MR ISITT ENLIGHTENED. The member for Christchurch North (Mr Isitt) went adrift to-night in the ocean of women’s dress. He was demonstrating how certain industries were threatened by lack of protection, and quoted a factory which, at one time, did good business in knitting woollen overcoats for women. Members seemed rather puzzled about these overcoats, and one sought for an explanation. Mr Isitt felt fairly confident they were overcoats, and illustrated their use by waving his arms up and down his manly body as the portion which the article would cover. Ultimately he came to the conclusion that what he was thinking of was a woollen jacket. Possibly a younger member of tho House was nearer the mark when he suggested sports coats. Mr Isitt let it go at ih*t.