PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15276, 28 June 1923, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

DISGRUNTLED REFORMERS. CONSIDERING THEIR POSITION. MR BOLLARD'S POPULARITY. By Telegraph.—Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Disappointed Aspirants. A rumour, not yet wholly discredited, concerns half-a-dozen disappointed aspirants for the vacant seat at the Cabinet table, awarded to Mr Bollard. The story goes that these disgruntled Reformers, brought together by a common grievance, are "seriously considering their party position." No doubt, Mr Massey was extremely unfortunate in having only one seat to allot when so many qualified candidates were ready to accept the responsibilities of office. But it always has been so, and a fortnight ago his friends were warning the Prime Minister that he must move warily. It is easier to give advice in such matters, however .than it is to avoid occasioning some one • displeasure. Mr Bollard's principal claim to preferment appears to have been his personal popularity, and it is one likely to stand Mr Massey in good stead in the ultimate result. Had Mr Young, regarded as the best equipped of the candidates, or Mr Field, or Mr Sykes, or Mr Harris, or Sir John Luke been appointed the equation of good-fellowship would have been less in evidence. Wiremen's Licenses.

Mr J, A. Young (Hamilton) Is to ask the Minister of Public Works whether he will take into consideration the need for the issue by the Government of Dominion licenses for electrical wiremen in place of the present unsatisfactory system of licenses being issued by local districts, and amend the law accordingly.

Compliments. The account of the exchange of pleasantries between the Prime Minister and Mr George Forbes, the member for Hurunui, in the House last night does not make very edifying reading; but the incident itself was entertaining and even instructive. Mr Forbes, as is his wont, used the plainest possible language, and Mr Massey was scarcely less unrestrained in his choice of words. It was, Mr Forbes said, disgraceful for a Prime Minister to go into a constituency, and try to debauch it as Mr Massey had done at Oamaru. It was drag-gins his high office in the dirt. To this, and to more of the kind, the Minister retorted that the statements were absolutely contrary to fact, and -quite worthy, of the man who had made them. The Speaker rebuked the offenders in dignined language, and insisted upon more courteous methods of debate", but the House was reminded by what had passed between the disputants that the spirit of the law regulating the conduct of elections remained sadly futile when it was put to the ultimate test.