ROUND THE FESTIVE BOARD

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 30 July 1910, Page 4

ROUND THE FESTIVE BOARD

OYSTERS AND POLITICS.

During the supper adjournment lasi night mombers of both Houses of Parliament, the officials of Parliament, the "Hansard" staff, and members of the Press Gallery sat down to an oyster supper at Bellamy's, as guests of the Prime Minister. Sir Joseph Ward had on his right hand the .Speaker (the f. on -J- &■ Guinness) and on his left Mr. W. t. Massey, tho Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Massey said that before members resumed th«:r Parliamentary duties they had another duty to perform—to drink the health of Sir Joseph Ward. They had to thank him for this pleasant little function. It was a very pleasant change from the duties they had to perform in tho House. During the last few days members had had a strenuous time. The Whips had been particularly energetic, but there had been more crack than lash. (Laughter.) If there had been any political irritation, the hesl< thing to remedy it was an oyster supper. The best way to bury the hatchet was to bury the oyster. (Laughter.)

Sir Joseph Ward thanked Mr. Massey for the way in which he had proposed his health. It was a groat pleasure to meet out of the Chamber, where they had been contesting for the last fewdays. He was particularly pleased to see the veiy . excellent Whips on both sides sitting together round the festive board. If there had been hard work, and a desire with them to look askance at each other, he hoped it would completely disappear. They did not carry their troubles beyond the House. Ha concluded by asking members to drink the health of the Sneaker.

The Hon. A. R. Guinness returned sincere thanks for the toast and its reception. He thought this Parliament reflected great credit upon the country for the orderly way in which it conducted business. He thought such gatherings as that dispelled any feeing that might be raised during debate. In conclusion, he proposed the health of the Leader of the Opposition, who was universally respected on both sides of the House. Mr. Massey had been fiahting for many years in tho cool shades ol Opposition, and perhaps he saw his day coming in the far distance. (Laughter.) However, Parliament had nothing to do with that—it wan a matter for , the country—and Mr. Massey was one ol those gentlemen who always took things as they found them.

Mr. Massey thanked the Speaker and the company, and said that being required to lead the attack, and sometimes the defence, ho perhaps, like Mr. Carroll, used words that were better left unsaid—(laughter)—words for which he felt sure the Speaker would sometimes sit upon him. But ho never attacked anyone unfairly. He ; sincerely hoped that when they met at the end of the session they would be just aa jolly as at the end of this political week.