A McDOUGALL JOKE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1929, Page 1

A McDOUGALL JOKE

Would not be reform DRUMMER. WELLINGTON, November 7. Parliament laughs easily and. often. To-night it became uproarious when Air M’Dougall, United member for Mataura, delivered himself of a short hutcharacteristic speech. He made reference to the member for Clutha, Mr Waite, who had criticised the Government for not doing more for the messengers and officers of the legislative department. “It seems that when he speaks, the band plays,” observed Mr APDougall. “ Then the leader of the Opposition and all his party laugh. The leader of the Opposition laughed till he was fit to shake his boots off. I like to see him laugh, because the other night lie was looking so sour lie would have soured a bucket of milk if you looked at him sideways.” There was a storm of laughter at this stage, and Mr Semple shouted, “What instrument do you play in the hand?” A Reform member : The bigpipes. Air APDougall (pointing at the Reform Party): "Well, 1 wouldn’t take the kettle-drum in that hand there. Air M’Dougall then said lie wanted to say a word for the backblockers, so that something might be done for them. Air Kyle: Put some primage on it. A Reform member: What about his tartan waistcoat ? Another member: Oh, lie bought that in China. The Chairman of Committee said Mr APDougall could not talk about tbo “ backblockers ” till tbe Public Works Estimates were before tbe House. Mr APDougall: Oil, I just wanted to say a word or two about those who are slushing about in the muck and mire. The chairman: Order! Order! Air APDougall: Well, there is one thing, J want to ask you if you won’t let me talk further, will you let me sit down? And he sat down just as the chairman's time bell sounded. This interlude, flat though it appears in print, convulsed the House.