"THE TOP HAT MINISTRY."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1539, 7 September 1912, Page 4

"THE TOP HAT MINISTRY."

TWO PHOTOGRAPHS. That humorous periodical "Tlio School Journal," has increased its readers by at least ono of late, and tho one in especial is Mr. G. W. Russell, member for Avon, and member of "Tho Committee of Pul>lie Safety;'' as Mr. Herdman has called the executive directing his Majesty's Opposition in Parliament. Shortly alter the House met yesterday afternoon ho drew attention to the fact that thero was iu tlie last issue of tho "School Journal" an article on tho Now Zealand Ministry, accompanied by a photograph—a very excellent one—of the gentlemen who formed tho present Cabinet, including also his Excellency tho Governor. Mr. James Allen (Minister for Education) interjected that ho know nothing about it. Mr. Russell .added that he was not aware that this had happened on any previous occasion. There was no photograph when tho late Ministry took office nor of tho Ward Ministry, Uγ. Pomaro: There was a photograph of your Ministry. Mr. F. H. Smith:, The top-hat Ministry. (Laughter.) Another hon. member: You wore thero. (Laughter.) Mr. Russell: Well, in this case they have all got frock coats on. (Laughter.) The. Hon. R. H. Rhodes: No they have not. Wrong again. Another hon. member: Just have a careful look. Mr. Russell: There are two gentlemen who have not frock coats oh. They have got morning coats. They are tho Post-master-General ■ and the Minister for Internal Affairs. No doubt there was good reason for their not having frock, coats. What happened to the belitoppera it would not be wise to pursue. The Minister for Native Affairs, I notice, looks very pleasant—ho looks just as if ho had received his degTee. Mr, Russell added that he had been taken by surprise in regard (o the fact that a similar photograph of the last Government had been published, even with tho belltoppers. (Laughtpr.) When the next change of Government took place An hon. member: That'll be a long time. , Mr. Russell: Which won't bo very long, I hope the new Government will follow tho plan , of having no reference to current politics in the '"School Journal." Tho Minister for Education (tho Hon. James Allen) said ho was- very glad to know that tho photograph was in the Journal, for ho was sure it would bo very educative. (Laughter.) Ho had nothing to do with it, and did not issue instructions for the insertion of tho picture. Tho editor of the- Journal was perfectly at liberty to do as lie liked. In fact, he would not object if a photograph of tho five Opposition leaders was included in tho next issue. (Renewed laughter.) The Hon. \Dr. Pomaro asked whether Mr. Russell had objected to the photograph of the Mackenzie Ministry goin? into the Journal. . Mr. Russell: "I was not aware 1 that it was there, nor was the Minister fox Education."