OUR LEGISLATORS

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue I, 4 July 1896, Page 15

OUR LEGISLATORS

IN AND OUT OF PARLIAMENT

(BY

RANGATIRA.

WkllingTon, June 25. THINGS are generally very dull. Members complain that even in the lobbies there is nothing of any interest discussed. The fact is, the resignation of the Colonial Treasurer and the proposed banking legislation are still uppermost in men's minds, and they seem unable to evince auy enthusiasm over other matters.

On Friday the debate on the address-in-reply still held sway, and members came and went indifferently. Many went down the wharf during the afternoon to say good-bye to Mr and Mrs Ward, who left for the South. This afternoon the Premier asked for a fortnight’s leave of absence for his late colleague, and it was generally understood that the time would eventually be indefinitely extended, and we feel we have seen the last of the late Colonial Treasurer for some weeks.

Mr Crowther gave us his opinion on things in general, while speaking on the ‘address.’ He thinks that present day speeches savour of the maxim, ‘ It doesn’t matter about politics; blacken one another’s characters.’ Mr G. W. Russell speaks in the same regretful strain of the former glory of debates, and tells us he considers that some of the speeches wehave listened to weredegrading. Mr McGuire also aired his views on the ‘ address.’ His speech lingers in my memory chiefly on account of his allusions to the Lands for Settlement question. A very vexed question it appears to be, and members forget to be courteous in the warmth of their contradictions. Mr McGuire scoffingly told us of the ‘ Hon. J. McKenzie’s Swiss Milk Settlement,’ a special Government settlement where cows are unknown and the inhabitants are reduced to the use of preserved milk. Then up rose the Hon. the Minister for Lands, and in mighty wrath he spoke. He becomes so emphatic and earnest when roused that we cannot help listening. It was during one of his hottest speeches that we noticed a most unusual visitor in the Gallery, a youthful granddaughter of the Minister for Lands, who is evidently being trained in a political world, and was brought early to view the great arena of political warfare. Recognising her grandfather, she hailed him excitedly. ‘There’s my dada,’ in clear treble, came as a somewhat timely and altogether unexpected interruption, and the whole House smiled audibly. The Hon. John calmed down and finished his speech in good-humoured banter of certain bachelors of the House. One there was of fifty-seven summers, while he of the same age had a grandchild. I regret to add that the childish follower and friend of the Government was forcibly removed, and has not been seen since. The new allotment of the portfolios does not appear to give such general satisfaction as one would suppose. Members think the Premier takes too much upon himself, and talk of the ‘ two strong men ’ in the Government, viz., the Premier and the Minister for Lands, the rest being classed collectively as the ‘ tail.’ Some of our members are strong on simile, which often proves anything but complimentary. Take, for instance, Mr G. W. Russell, who is sometimes referred to as Riccarton, or even ‘ Rickety Russell.’ He calls unlimited metaphor to his aid when reeling off a speech, and talks exhaustively of Don Quixote on his famous horse Rosinante. We dimly grasp the likeness to the leader of the Opposition, Captain Russell, astride the National ass, but we trace no resemblance in character, and I must confess I failed to see the point of comparison. My neighbour is quite hopeless in her confusion, and comes to the conclusion that it was in reference to his arguments that men have called Mr G. W. Russell ‘ Rickety.'

The new Ministers, Mr Thompson and Mr Hall-Jones have both been on their feet. The former spoke for a very short time, and what he said in favour of Mr Seddon’sadministration sounded more like a testimonial of good conduct on behalf of his chief than anything else.

And so the debate on the ‘ address ’ ends, a copy is formally presented to His Excellency at Government House, and with a widely-echoed sigh of relief the members brace themselves for more congenial work. A breeze of expectancy stirs the Gallery, but dies away immediately, for few of us take any interest in Imprest Supplies, Juries Act, or Second Hand Dealers. We listen more attentively to the discussion on our almond-eyed visitors from China, who evidently are not accorded much geniality of welcome, and the Asiatic Restriction Bill finally passes through all its stages. The Premier suggests that the House should sit in the mornings. The motion does not find much favour generally, nevertheless, the chief gives notice of a resolution to that effect, and it is expected that a compromise may be arranged by which the House will meet on two mornings in the week.

Being the easy, early days of the session, Wednesday

and Thursday evenings are given over to members to do the work, or play, they may individually please, and we have all sorts of small and private Bills brought forth. Mr Kelly champions domestic servants. He has promised some of them a weekly half holiday, and means toget it. He feels the burden of unwashed dinner dishes, and therefore times the holiday for 3 p.m., when everything pertaining to the midday meal should be cleared away. During the discussion that followed there was many a smile in the Ladies’ Gallery, and they gave a unanimous expression of opinion that * men knew nothing of such things, and should leave it to their wives.' Lady helps are also included in the Bills as assistants. Then Mr Mills rises, and draws our thoughts far from kitchens and dinner dishes to the High Court of Justice. He is at war with the Criminal Code. His arguments chiefly centre round the case of Chemis, now imprisoned for the murder of Hawkins some eight years ago. Mr Mills wishes the law amended in so far as to enable Chemis to have a new trial. The Premier, who was strong in opposition last year, no longer protests against the measure, for which he is taunted from the opposite benches with inconsistency. My neighbour reminds me most opportunely of Ruskin’s remark on this subject—that no one is worth listening to who does not alter his opinion and change his mind sometimes. It is really a thousand pities that those in the galleries are not allowed to join in the debates as the spirit moves them. I feel sure that Mr Seddon would be pleased to feel that in changing his opinion he * had Ruskin with him.’

The women of the colony are to be well treated this year. They can claim no end of champions for their rights. Mr Russell has been fathering his Women’s Disabilities Bill all the afternoon, and it has met with warm support from both sides of the House, though it is predicted that the Lords will kill it. This Bill provides that women shall be eligible for all positions held by men. They shall sit in both the Houses of Representatives and the Legislative Council ; they may practise Law or anything else for which they have passed the necessary examinations, and it is quite probable will be sometimes appointed Judges of the Supreme Court. Dear me, if the Bill should pass what a time there will be among the women !

To-night is devoted to Revaluation of Lands, Defamation Bill, and Slander of Women Bill. A kindly friend has warned us that it will be dull and dreary, so we do not go to hear. On such occasions it is wiser to accept the judgment of one who is more likely to know than ourselves.

I see I have said nothing about the Legislative Council, and this is simply and purely because there is so little to say. The Upper House is in a great measure waiting for the work which comes from the Lower House, and the first few weeks are necessarily uneventful.

I notice Messrs Bell and George Hutchison again in their places. They both look well, and are prepared for any amount of hard work. Sir Maurice O’Rorke has also taken up his wonted duties, much to the satisfaction of the House in general.

There are many gaps in the ladies’ gallery. The one I notice with chief regret is that caused by the sad death of Mrs Menteath. One of our cleverest politicians and most regular attendants at the House, her absence is keenly felt both in the gallery and by those below who were ever conscious of her sympathy. Mrs Hutchison and Mrs Thomson will also be much missed, and Mrs Bell and Mrs Newman, though in Wellington, have not yet visited the gallery. Mrs Seddon and her daughters are constant attendants in the Speakers’ Gallery, also Mrs Larnach, Miss Russell, and the Misses Hutchison.