FROM THE LADIES' GALLERY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 894, 13 August 1910, Page 11

FROM THE LADIES' GALLERY.

GLEANINGS FROM PARLIAMENT. Once more the Financial Debate, and tho memory of its weary and endless meandorings in a world of words, creeps over one's soul and fills it with tho deepest. dejection at the realisation of the immense .amount of futility thero is intho world.' Se'veral times, when the 'flamijof life was feebly flickering, and it .seemed as though every moment must be its last, some miracle.of resuscitation would take place,' and it would struggle on for yet anothor span of lifo —why, goodness knows. '■■, A Cure for the Criminal. Tho Legislative . Council offered a change of subject to the familiar ones with which tho House was discussing and wrangling over. Dr. Fiudlay moved the second reading of the Crimes Amendment Bill,.which is to form the ground-work of a new reformative prison treatment, ahd the interest that was taken in the subject was shown by crowded galleries—not altogether a usual circumsta'hco in the Legislative Chamber. To punish criminals without attempting to make, them see or alter their evil ways has for long been tho method .pursued, and has not resulted iu thu prevention of wickedness onco thoyaru'loosed again upon tho world. Onu of tho chinf features in the now Bill, is the indeterminate sentence —no prisoner when he enters tho gaol knows whother or when ho will leave it again, and in tho meantime efforts will v be made to cure him of,his vices. Dr. Findlay stated that prison officials must give their whole attention to tho new system, ami upon their success and intelligencein furthering the success of tho scheme their promotion would largely depend. Tho Bill would inculcate tho "work" habit. So far as ono can see, it seems to bu most strangely deficient. The model reformatories would not be by any means places of ease or "fea-ther-bed" systems, and would not bo viewed with favour or kindliness bycriminals. Br. Findlay mado a strong appeal'for the support of the new system, as its-aim and object was to savo the souls, and bodies of tho men and women for whom it was-being worked out. ' ' . All and Sundry. While this most- interesting problem was being dealt with, Mr. Buddo was speaking to the House upon various matters, Native lands, valuation, pure foods, etc., in a. flow of words that-led one —where? Emphatically ho told the House that, ho wished them to thoroughly understand tho position in regard to valuations : of propcities, and the House sleepily reposed behind its desks and nowspapers and dreamt of other-matters. It is a rudely indifferent assembly at many times. In the evening Mr. Buchanan plunged boldly into the arena of debate and bad; an invigorating time, bringing at least three Miuiaterß to their feet with .per-

sonal explanations. A most interesting speech, from certain points of view, was that made by the member for Otaki, Mr. Field, in which he tried to vindicate himself for having followed the only course that most men would have followed without thinking it necessary to apologise — the fulfilling of his promise to his electorate to vote for .the freehold. It is a difficult thing to serve two masters whim they pull contrary- ways. •- : An Interlude. On Wednesday afternoon tho Financial Debate was not in evidence for a long time, as a dismission that aroused some feeling ami the accusation from Mr. Massey that most peculiar tactics were being used took place- over tho laying upon the table of a- return on the importation of Oregon pine. Mr. Smith, member for Ilangitikei, rose to speak, but was prevented from doing so till the. Hon. G. JVVlds, who presented the return, agreed to move that it be printed. Most elaborately and apologetically Mr. Smith pleaded, hyy lack of preparation,, so that ho co'/fd not speak as he liked upon, the subject. He had only just heard that the paper was being brought down just before ho camo into .1 he House, ami had had time to look up hut a few facts and figures. This statement stemed to surpriso / . somo members, and an incredulous smile" (Ci opt over their faces as they surveyed the pile of information that was ready t-u hand on his desk. It is a world of coincidences. Mr. Massey, however, refused to believe, that Mr. Smith had not gained previous information that the subject was to come up, and denounced the unfairness of such conduct. ■ A heated argument between Sir Joseph and Mr. Massey followed, in which, the "retort courteous" was not used, assertion, accusation, and denial coming from ono leader and then the other,, greatly 'to the interest of the other members. A Vigilant Gukrdian. Mr. Russell, the member for Avon, keeps a vigilant eye upon Mr. T. E. ■Taylor, and when tho latter rose to. speak upon the timber industry twice ros3 to a point of order. His persistence, however, was not rewarded, as in both cases- , he was overruled by 'the Speaker. According to Mr. Taylor, it appeared to have become a habit of Mr. Russell's to interrupt on tho plea of a point of order when he roso to speak upon any subject: Mr. Taylor mado a. sweeping condemnation of tho report of tho Timber Commission, and said that any man who wont through it was fit, for another, institution;-and thon.oncer two members who like to havo things mado very obvious interjected "Pcrirua," and'they all chuckled away most merrily. That is the way men's. sense of humour , displays itself. Mr. Taylor also said that ■if members of Parliament belonged to a commission they ought not to receive, any salary • for their services in that connection. This statement, however, met with chilly silence. .'■■". '■'■■'■ "Tammany." ' ' ■* . ■■ • Tamraanyism again occupied a largo and intensely interesting place in the House on Wednesday evening, and Mr. Hine made clear his charges. It was not a personal matter with him, but he felt that with the information ho possessed ho.'had a public duty to perform, and ho would do it. At, this present stage of affairs ho would , not give names, but if in the cases referred to ■an.-inquiry was granted, most explicit information would be given on his part. Tho charges he .made, however, were outlined. In conclusion, Mr. Hine said, that if the standard of Parliamentary life were to become so tawored that members received a commission from private individuals in connection with the sale of■estates to the 1 Government —what self-respecting man would careto go into the House? . .

On Thursday evening, after the supper adjournment things were exceedingly dull in tho House. •Mγ. Vigor Brown stated his views ■ on many, subjects •■ to a- House that settled itself : sleepily upon its benches. Comfortable corners were sought, eyes were closed, and probably the most alert-loolcing member to bo seen was Mr. Eussell, of whom only the top of his head was visible, but it was'.certainhvvery wide-awake looking, suggesting, that he was re'ady ; to drop heavily upon any speaker who did not meet with his'approval.-Woo to the unwary I : '■ . ..•'■-.■ ■■ .; .i^