POLITICAL PICKINGS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LII, Issue 117, 8 July 1931, Page 1

POLITICAL PICKINGS.

EXCERPTS FROM MEMBERS’ SPEECHES. COMMERCIAL POKER. The position of the world’s gold supply was illustrated in an unusual manner by Mr V. AVard (United, Invercargill) in the House. He asked the House to picture five men —a baker, a butcher, a grocer, etc. —each with five sovereigns sitting down to a game of poker. Supposing that the butcher won all the money, then the others would have no money to trade with, and the butcher would not be able to sell his meat. This was the position America was in. “MEMBER FOR MANUKA.” The Reform member for Riccarton, Mr H. S. S'. Kyle, caused a laugh in the House by referring to Mr W. J. Jordan (Labor, Manukau) as “the member for Manuka.” “There you have the different interpretation of the South Island as against the North Island,” Mr Kyle remarked- “In the South it is called manuka.” ONLY ONE TO SUFFER. “For the past nine years I have sat in this House, and during that time I have only known of two private members’ biils that have been passed,” said Mr AV. J. Jordan (Labor, Manukau). “One was the Daylight Saving Bill, and the other was a bill permitting a man to marry his deceased wife’s niece. Well, if I wanted to. marry my deceased wife’s niece I would do so and not know it w'as illegal. And I am sure that nobody would mind —except, perhaps, my deceased wife’s niece.” (Loud laughter). “BLOOD-MONEY SHIPS.” “Blood-money ships” was the description applied to the Matson line of steamers which is to inaugurate a service with New Zealand next month, by Air J. S. Fletcher (Independent, Grey Lynn) in the House. Mr Fletcher said that the American steamer’s, which had been subsidised by the American Government, would drive the Red Ensign off the seas, and he wondered what the Government was going to do in the matter. The United States would not allow New Zealand ships to call at two American ports concurrently, and, furthermore, they would not allow New Zealand fruit and vegetables to land. He was not in favor of reprisals, but he wanted to see that the ships which carried the trade of the Empire were treated fairly. If no action was taken the two ships which at present ran in the San IVancisco ! service would be tied up in the bar-

bor. There was a campaign in America asking American traders to use American ships, and as the United States would not take New Zealand goods the result would be that only American ships would be running in the service. AA r hat was the Government going to do? There was enough unemployment in the Dominion already without the country having more seamen thrown on its hands. MR APDOUGALL’S VOICE. The voice of Mr D. M'Dougall (United, Mataura) was heard for the first time this session in the House in objection to a motion for the extension of a speaker’s time. A number of speakers in the Address-in-Reply debate had previously had extensions of time, but in each instance Mr M'Dougall was out of the House when the motion, which requires the unanimous consent of members present, was put by Mr Speaker. However, when Air R. Semple (Labor, AVellington East) moved that the privilege be extended to Mr T. Alakitanara (United, Southern Alaori), Air M'Dougall exercised his right to veto with an emphatic “No.” Later an extension of time was moved for Mr A. Hamilton (Reform, Wallace), but Mr Al'Dougall again prevailed as the sole objector. THE FARMERS’ BRAINS. “I believe the farmers are the best business brains in New Zealand,” declared Mr A. Hamilton (Reform, Wallace), “because they are the only people who can market their own products in the markets of the world.” NEHEAIIAH OR JEREAIIAH ? "Before Nehemiah —no relation to Sir Otto—could build up the walls of Jerusalem,” remarked Mr F. Lye (United, Waikato), after referring to what the United Party found it was necessary to do when it followed the Reform Party into the Treasury Benches, ‘ ‘ he first of all had to clear up the rubbish.” Air D. Jones (Reform, Mid-Canter-bury): “AVe will have to do that later.” (Laughter). Mr Lye went on to refer to the present Prime Alinister as the modern Nehemiah. Air Jones: “Jeremiah.” (Loud laughter). Mr Lye said that everything that had been done during the lifetime of the present Government had been done with the support of a majority of the members of the House. “If we are guilty,” he added, “then some of you are guilty. ’ ’ He believed that the majority of the members, in recording their votes, had done so honestly and sincerely and in the best interests of the country. PRESENT AND FUTURE. The bad state of several of New Zealand’s industries was referred to by Mr W. J. Broadfoot (United, AVaitomo). “Flax is in trouble, hides are in trouble,” said the speaker. “Yours will be,” interjected Air A. M. Samuel (Reform, Thames). RUSSIA’S CHALLENGE. The aims of the five-year plan of Soviet Russia were outlined by Mr

AV. J. Broadfoot (United, Waitomo). He said that great industries were being developed on a cold economic and scientific basis and it was hoped to double production. “It is a challenge to the capitalistic system,” said Air Broadfoot, who remarked that the rest of the world would have to put its house in order. Air J. O’Brien (Labor, AA r estland): “You are a bit of a ‘Bolshie’ yourself. ’ ’ “Our system,” said Air Broadfoot, “will have to be modified. It is essential that we modify and adjust the existing system without destroying something that has taken centuries to build up.” Air AV. E. Parry (Labor, Auckland Central): “Evolution, not revolution. ’ ’