New Zealand M’sP

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1921, Page 1

New Zealand M’sP

LORD BRYCE’S CRITICISM RESENTED.

MASTERTON, Jen 13.

When replying to the toast of “Parliament” at the annual reunion of the Masterton Fire Brigade to-night Mr G. R. Sykes, M. I\, bad something to say in criticism of a statement attributed to Lord Bryce by a recent cable message. When Ambassador to the United States in 191'I, said Mr Sykes, laird Bryce had paid a flying vis : t to New Zealand. According to the cable message referred to Tail’d Bry i thought the New Zealand House of Parliament was altogether too represe itative, its memliei's being still above the average of their electors in knowledge and ability. Perhaps it was for such a cultured gentleman, commented Mr Sykes. Evidently Lord Bruce favoured restricting the franchise so that members might be chosen from ainnn ■ literary and university men. New An and had a full franchise, of which she "as proud and she would keep it. Parliamentarians usually became thick-skinned after a period of service; they did rot want bouquets thrown at them, but they were not in the least affected by ihc remarks of the gentleman just quo ed. New Zealand Parliamentarians were representatives of the ordinary people, and they did not claim to he anything more. They were plain men who were trying to the liest of their ability to administer the Government of the Dominion according to their conscience, and for the good of the community as a whole. They had laws on the Statute Bonks ns progressive and solid as those of any other country in the vrild. The Parliament of this Dominion was a Parliament to bo proud of.