LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1512, 7 August 1912, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

1THE HUTT RAILWAY SERVICE. / v Sir,—The ex-Minister for Railways, in hastening (he afternoon Wuirarapa express, conferred a great boon in running it direct to the" Lower Hutt. This train, accordingly, especially conveniences, and is largely 'used by ladies returning from the city. At the same time, and properly, the rear carriages are marked as reserved for "Wairarapa passengers." But, then, in front, the carriages for the Hutt area very indifferent, odd lot. For the ladies there is usually an ancient, sideseated caravan, marked as first-class, on other days, a small chair-seated carriage is put on, which is altogether insufficient for half tho lady passengers, hence the overflow has to invade the smoker or the Wairarapa carriages. Mismanagement of this order is a specialty of the Hutt line, and this perversity is about a fair cxample.-I am, etc., SUBURBAN. CANVASSING FOR APPOINTMENTS. Sir,—ln reference to statements made by Mr. W. W. Kountree at the meeting of the Wellington branch of. the Teachers' Institute, 1 desire to state that I have never regarded a personal interview with a teacher as actual canvassing for an appointment. I should not have so regarded Mr. Rountrce's interview with, myself, had it not been followed by a very energetic- , canvass % his father in his behalf. When I spoke of canvassing, at the meeting of the Education Board in June last, I did not wish to convey that there was any impropriety on the part of a teacher'who may present himself, or submit his qualifications to a member of the board: 1 am' not aware, as I stated at tho board meeting, of any teacher having actually canvassed my support tor his appointment since a. resolution was placed upon the minutes of tho board at my own instigation some six years back, to the effect that canvassing may bo regarded as a disqualification. That resolution still stands on the minutes of the board, and if it has not been strictlv observed, it' is, in my opinion, very muchtol.regrette^.am.ete^^ THE DIGNITY OF PARLIAMENT. Sir,—As the solfi ■ surviving reader of Hansard, I would like to point out the unparliamentary habit, that has become so general, of addressing members as "you " 1 was exceedingly pleased to see that Sir Joseph Ward* reproved. Mr. Fisher for this lapse on February 29 last, and again a few days ago. His action will not doubt go far towards terminating an undesirable, custom; and the Hon. Speaker will no doubt have his hands strengthened by the efforts made by so prominent a member. I took the opportunity afforded by the slender bulk of Hansard for the short, session to examine the prevalence of this unparliamentary manner of address, and the following show the double-figure offenders. Hie word "vou ,, was used in this offensive way during the first session of this Parliament 'Sir Joseph Ward, SO times. Hon. Mr. Millar, 20 times. Hon. Mr. ifassey, 23 times. Hon. Mr. Fisher, 20 times. These were the prominent offenders, and 1 think no other member eot into double figUr^JUXI2BISCUM -