ST. DAVID—WHO WAS HE?

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 983, 25 November 1910, Page 4

ST. DAVID—WHO WAS HE?

-"THAT TAKES THE CAKE.". .. luto .a grey, drab debate in the Hoiis®' last night, (he patron saint of Wales' (St. David) was introduced, • and he brought with him a tinge of colour. The schedule o£ the Public Holidays Bill, relating to blink holidays, was under di&-. cussio'n, and Sir. Dillon moved to add March 1, St. David's Daj\ Mr. Dillon confessed lie was the only Welshman in the House, and that if ho talked for ail liour he ivould probably not influence a vote, jo he asked the Chairman of Committees to put his amendment. Mr. llussell (Avon) asked *in a bland and iiinocent voice what the reason for observing St. David's Day was. Mr. Dillon replied (in eli'ect) that the English, Scotch, and Irish Saints' Days were to. be honoured by banks, and tho Welsh Saints Day should be also. "Who was St. David, and where i» he?"_ queried Mr. Witty. "Where is he now?" echoed' Mr. Massey, with a protest in his voice. Mr. Dillon did not attempt to answer this question. There was a further interruption before the question was put. The Chairman ol Committees appeared to become confused in his rulings, and wanted to go back on a decision in order to allow Mr. Dillon , to put his amendment. ■ This brought Mr. T. E. Taylor to his feet in protest.. "It is all very well for the wealthy squatters and Wellington members to wasto the time of the House," hfl exclaimed. He would. not mind a bit, ha added, if some issue wero involved, but it was not. • Mr. Dillon, in his turn, became angry.. "That—that—that—takes the cake," lis declared, and members laughed. Mr. Dillon complained that if it had not been • for Mr. laylor the House would have risen a month,ago. Mr. Taylor complained that it did not tend/to the, orderliness of.-the proceedings that the Chairman .should go baclj on his decisions. Mustering his dignity, the Chairman, reminded Mr. Taylor that there was a proper way of challenging his decisions. The House, resolved that bank clerks should not make holiday on St. David's Day;