MINISTER AND LABOUR AGITATOR

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10973, 12 June 1903, Page 6

MINISTER AND LABOUR AGITATOR

Tlie class of man the Victorian Minister, of Railways Is may be judged from what took place at an interview the unemployed had with him. the other day. Mr Bent, noticing that Mr Fleming, the prominent 1 "Yarra-banlcer," was not _ present, exclaimed , "Why isn't he - here? The appointed time is past. I am inclined to think, anyhow, that I have had enpugh of this Fleming, and that I won't sec him any more. You can put your case without him."

' One of the Deputation : Mr Flemfng has certainly not done much for us. . Mr Bent : Yet you all seem to think him a great fellow. You certainly make a great deal of him. I don't think I shall' see him any more: What with the Govetfnor-Gene-rai's champagne and one thing and another, he is getting a swelled hcad.^ Mr Fleming entered the .-room at this moment.

Mr Bent :' Idm beginning to think, Mr Fleming, that it's no good meeting you. It appears to me that you are under the impression that you area great man in this country. T hear what you Bay on the •Yarra bank about me and the Government, and all I can say now i?that you had bettei* leave here at once and go back. to the Yarra. I think I fhall shut' your mouth up a bit for what yon have sSaid about the Government and me. I hear of your vile language, and I may 'toil you now that I> am a better man than you ever were, either 1 in morality or anything else. You, can go back to the Yarra and be .able to' use stranger language if you like. What I, have said to you, you can go now and tell* the Premier. * Mr Fleming: I would like to explain. idr Bent: I won't h'env you. You know I have always served you well. You lunch with me, and then j you' go on_ Stmday to the Yarra bank, when I fwn at homo., tired, and you call me and the Government all tlie names you can think of.i Mr Fleming : Not you, Mr Bent, but the Government. Mr Bent-:' Well, why tlie Government? You Icnow that I have" to consult the Government before I can do anything. At the close of the interview the parties wcro thoroughly reconciled, and parted good friends. ' • ,