POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1918, Page 4

POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

A MISSING REPORT. “This is the third year of asking,” said the member for Thames (Mr T. Yv. Rhodes) when giving notice to ask the Minister of Marine when Professor Prince’s report upon the New Zealand fisheries would he presented to Parliament. The report- should have reached the Government three years ago, but apparently it is still missing. HONOURS FOR ANZACS. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P. for Dunedin, South asks the Minister for Defence -whether, in view of the fact that honours were apparently more sparingly bestowed upon our soldiers at the commencement of the war than subsequently and that the percentage' of honours bestowed during the Gallipoli campaign were smaller than tile percentage conferred in France during the same period, lie will obtain a review ol the records of the Gallipoli campaign, with (lie object of having honours (post-humous, if necessary) con ferrod for meritorious services during that campaign. DR THACKER’S TIT-BITS. Dr Thacker announced in the House on Thursday- that it was his intention to “throw stray tit-hits to tile National Government, during the present session, just to give a lead to a slow-snail-crawl-ing, niggardly Government-.” Dr 'Thacker forthwith proceeded to fling some tit-bits at the Ministerial benches. It was a Government, that had said to the miners “Go slow, and we will jug you,’’ and to the wheat-growers, “Go slow and will double your prices.” This was the sort of principle that the Government held up to the people. The National Government was really a combination of Liberal and Massey 'lories. LEGISLATIVE- COUNCIL. A passage in the Governor’s Speech at the opening of Parliament stated that it was “intended to submit to Parliament certain necessary legislation relating to the present constitution of the Legislative Council.” 'The proposed legislation is purely formal in nature, and is made necessary by the prolongation of the war. The Legislative Council Amendment Act introduced by the Reform Government- and passed in 1914, providing that the Council should become elective, was to come into operation on January 1. 1916. After the formation of the Na_ tional Government its operation was postponed until September 1, 1917, and in 1916 a further postponement was made until January 7, 1920. It appears now that a further postponement is necessary.

CRITICISM AND ADVICE. A severe criticism,! empored with some advice was given by Mr A. H. Hindmarah to the Prime Minister in the House 011 Wednesday night. There was no doubt, said Mr Hindmarsh. of the unpopularity of Mr Massey. Mr Massey was unpopular because had departed from principles. Mr Speaker saw fit to interrupt Mr Hindmarsh continued that the people had shown their distract of Mr Massey in the lucent by-election, and given a chance, they would show it in a more pronounced way. True, Mr Massey had some hopes left to regain lost favour, but- he would have to hurry’ up. Here Dr Thacker interrupted and warned the speaker not to give Mr Massey anymore .advice, because “they did not want him.” Mr Hindmarsh evidently took the hint for his advice ceased, aim undiluted criticism was substituted;