POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1924, Page 4

POLITICAL JOTTINGS.

VOTES AND POWER. “The Reform Government has no reason to be proud of tho way in which it got the votes which put it in office in 15)12, and those which enabled it to remain in office in 1022. I will say no more. I will leave it at. that.’’ —Mr F. Lye. (Waikato), in course of Address-in-Koply debate.

“THE DRIVE TO THE TOWNS.” “The result of the "bole of tho Reform admini.stiution has been to drive the people to the towns.” declared Mr E. Lye (Waikato), in tile House of Rvjpresont/itives. “’lbe Government' lias made of the farmer an ass fo carry the burden.'’ “MONEY TALKS.” “Money talks.” remarked Mr G. W. Forbes (lliirunni) commenting on the attack by Mr AY. 1). l.ysnar on the Minister for Agriculture, with reference tu the sale of a New Zealand freezing works to AVstov Brothers. There was no doubt, lie added, that .Air Lysnar. if not speaking front Hie bottom of bis heart, was speaking Horn the bottom of his pocket—perhaps not from the very bottom of it. but thereabiits. (Laughter). ELECTING A SPEAKER. Before the Legislative Council proceeded to the election of a Speaker the Hon. Sir Francis Bell explained the procses of election. He said : “The process is that every member of the Council must mark three men whom he considers eligible for the office of Speaker. A paper on which only one or two names appears is informal. A second point is that no member "hi i.* absent must he marked on a nominating paper, because the standing orders require that a. pel-nil erected must, immediately take Ids place in the chair."

It lollows that a large number of names are received, but any memlier may ii.se in liis place and desire that his name he removed.

AN UN.SHOD TEAM. Mr Edit* (Chithat expressed regret in the cour*e of the Addrcss-in--I,'ei It debate Yesterday at the poor showing made eaily in tile debate by another Otago man. the lion. AY. Dov.nie Stewart. The Minister. .said Mr Edie, had said a great deal about the l.ibera! Party being the Aliddlo-of-tlie Road Party, as if that were a rcI loach to them. But "Tint did the bon. gentleman know about the middle of the road ! Where would be drive a team of. four to six horses "itb a heavy load. Mr G. R. Sykes (Ma.sterton) : (In the right side. Air Edie: Then the horses would he unshod, .iust as the Ministerial team L unshod Co-day. (Laughter.) He .should keep to the middle of the road. A Reform member: Then, "bat about Ihe other fellow ! Air Edie: Give- him half the road "hen you meet him. (Laughter and tipplnu.se.)

PORKY FDR THE GIRLS. AH' Ala*-: y : The lion, geirfhynnn (Air Willordl said he addressed bull girls in Japan, j am only sorry for lho girls.

ON THE Hulas. “He want to isce where we arc tioilig.” Mr Parr aiimumccd in ihc House. “Oil the rocks!" came the reply from the Labour bcnchof.. •LABOUR.’,S RECIPE. Mr Parr: I know we are not Dec of unemployment, ami no country in the world will ever he free of unemployment. -Mr Armstrong: When we are free of you fellows, we will he. BILL AND Mr Langstone works one off at tho i expense of two of the party leaders. “They remind me." he says, "of a | Stilly and Mo show—Bill Foolery and Tom .Foolery.’' TALKING .MUCH. Mr Langstone. one of iho Labour group, complained, that the Prime Minister hail suggested that members should not waste the time of the House. “No honourable member gets up ami talks so much and sav.s so litt!e ns the Prime Minister.” Air Langstone declared. “Never a new thought Never any brightness. Never anything of any use at all.”

j NOT DISLOYAL. The Labour Party is not disloyal, declared Mr W. ,T. .lordan (Manukau), in the House of Representatives. - ‘J give place to no man, not even the Prime Minister, in my loyalty to tho P.ritish Empire. . . . We admire the King more and more every day. We admire him because be readily recognised a Labour Government, and apparently thinks as much of it as Governments which preceded it.” A voice: “Probably more.” WJTAT £20.000 WOULD DO. I “Tho member for Gisborne was complaining to-day that ho lost £20.000.” declared Mr W. J. Jordan (Manukau) in the House of Representatives “Why £20.000 would buy the whole of the worldly possessions of the seventeen members bore, if not the whole of ilie Labour Party." (Laughter.)