Political Fun.

Manawatu Herald, 22 July 1893, Page 2

Political Fun.

The language of exaggeration. The newly elected member for Wanganui in his maiden speech in the House was very emphatic in his praise of the Government and all that the Government has done. This is how he is reported in Hansard — The Bureau seems to be run on very economical lines, having few paid officers ; and altogether lam assured it has at the prwent \\m% something

like thirty thousand people to oare for. An hon. member-— Thirty thousand ? Mr Willis— That I am assured is the number at the present time, but I may be mistaken, it may be less. What touching simplicity, "it -, may be less " why did'nt he brazen it out bettei and assert it was probably more ? Of course the calm statement of facts could hav« been gleaned by MrWillis from that useful report of the Department of Labour, but that would have been inconvenient, or, he may have consulted the table compiled therein, showing the number of persons for whom employment was found, and beautifully muddled it. It almost looks as though this is what he has done, as he puts the number at 80.000. Now in the table there are eight columns under the head of totals, and all the figures in those totals make 27,897— thus suggesting the " possibly less." But these totals do not wholly refer to persons, as they first give the numbers of persons applying for work, then the number employed, then the number of months unemployed and the numbers failing to get employment. The results of adding these mixed items together results in Mr Willis' wonderful statement. The table calmly asserts that for the twelvemonths up to the 31st March last, 3874 persons applied for work and the Government employed 1356 and private employers took 2518. The member for Wanganui in his first attempt in dealing with figures shows a decided contrast to the late lamented member for that constituency.

When Sir P. A. Buckley moved " That the Hon. Captain Baillie be appointed Chairman of Committees, in compliance with Standing Order No. 253 " he gave the Hon. Dr Pollen a chance for a little joke. Though supporting the appointment of Captain Baillie, Dr Pollen pointed out that the Standing Order did not direct Captain Baillie's appointment. He is reported to have said "In the grammatical construction of this motion Priscian has been " a little scratched." if I may be permitted to quote from Shakespeare. If my honourable and learned friend and myself were sitting as members in coming Parliament on College Green, the tomewhat Hibernian character of the English in this motion might bs held to be appropriate ; but we are purists in this part of the world, and insist, as far as we can, that, as long as English is to be' used officially, it shall be as nenrly Jf grammatically correet-as.ijj n possible to make it. The error in the notice of motion, however, does not at all effect the merits of the question, which stands on quite a different ground.