A QUESTION OF TASTE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1920, 16 August 1888, Page 3

A QUESTION OF TASTE.

♦ ■ There are members and members, and it is a curious fact, bat nevertheless a fact, that among those who hail from Auckland are to be found (not this session only, but at all times) gentlemen who are ready to put questions which gentlemen generally would most carefully eschew. The members for the Bay of Islands and Marsden, have this year singled themselves out from all others by bringing before the House questions which none but themselves would have dreamt of raising, Mr Hobbs being the chiet offender against the canons of good taste m this respect. For example, it was only a few days ago that that gentleman insinuated that Mr Larnach had obtained leave of absence improperly, and that he was, or might be, drawing his honorarium while absent from the House, and at this moment there is on the Order Paper a motion, m the name of the same gentleman, for a return shewing what members have at any time drawn honorarium while absent on leave m consequence of illness m their families. This thirst for information may be all very well, but it is impossible to close our eyes to the fact that the member for the Bay of Islands attributes to other hon members a willingness to draw their pay when not m the service of the House, and very nearly goes so far as to accuse his colleagues of drawing moneys which they are not entitled to receive. We do not believe that such is the case, and are confident that the returns, when granted, will prove Mr Hobbs' insinuations to be unfounded. But it is certainly a very remarkable fact that all these bogus accusations are preferred by Auckland members. What is the matter with our friends up North? Is there anything m their geographical position which leads to suspiciousness of disposition ; is it a question of climate, or' what is it ? Anyhow, we should be very disinclined to select the Bay of Islands as the spot wherein to plant our own particular vine and fig tree, so long as there is a risk of their being utterly choked by the ill weeds of suspicion and slander which seem to vegitate m that locality as their natural habitat.