Political Noted.

Manawatu Herald, 28 October 1897, Page 2

Political Noted.

Mr dligo, the newly elected member for Dunedin City, does not appear to have commenced his parliaHHcurarjr career tinder quite tnfl happiest auspices. When he essayed to return thanks to his supporters at the declaration of the poll, he Wat met with the very pertinent reminded that he owed his position to the splitting of the Liberal vote and at occe flew off into an exhibition of the most petulant temper. " These are not men," he shouted, " they are only ours ; that's all. There ar« a few bearing the semblance of man, Who are htit men, they are cars." Mr Monk : "I am sorry there is not more of history taught in oar sohoola." Mr Gilfedder (at one time schoolmaster) : " There is too much time wasted on history." Mr Monk : "The hon. gentleman should read Aristotle." Then, with ready wit— " Let me quote him from Aristotle," and Mr Gilfedder forthwith quoted with telling effect, much to the discomfiture of the member for Wailace. Referring to Tuesday morning's Government cauous the Lyttelton Timei says no amount of ostracism will drive men like Messrs Smith, Taylor and Pirani into the ranks of Conservative Opposition, but harsh treatment may render them more dangerous to the Government than they can ever be while they maintain their attitude of friendly independence. At the oauous of the Government party things looked very threatening for a time, and members were asked to indicate their attitude respecting the Premier holding & position on the Anglo»Continental Syndicate. Messrs Montgomery, Smith and Pirani stated they would vote for a motion deolaring Ministers should oot hold snch positions. The Premier intimated that a bill dealing with " Horowhenua " would be sub- - mitted to the caucus before being circulated. Mr Hone Heke would like the Government to facilitate the employment of native boys or girls as,assistant teachers in native schools ; also if they can facilitate admission of native girls educated at the native colleges to hospital':, to be trained as nurses. Mr Hone Heke will also ask whether the Government can aid the Te Aute College Students' Association in the prosecution. of their objects to the extent of £250. At a dinner given at Government House last week, there were sitting side by side three natives of New Zealand whose ages totalled 194 years. They were all parliamentarians and they neither smoke nor drink. They are the Hon. Williafms, Biy of Island, 75 years ; Mr Monk 64 years ; and Mr Carson 65 years. The Hon G. F. Richardson on the Address*in-Reply :— " Bince the present Government came into office they have practically boxed the political compass from point to point — they have been north, south, east and where the devil they are now I do not know. . . . They have been gyrating round and round with the canine instinct which prompts the dog to turn round and round in selecting the place where he can most comfortably lie." The Premier concluded his speech on the address-in reply as follows; — " Our country is going in tb« righs direction, and ldt us do what we can to creata harmony. I believe in democracy. I believe in the happiness of the people, who are to day the most prosperous and happy to be found anywhere. £44 per head is what we earn, as against £83 in the Mother Country, and £288 U the wealth per head of the people of New Zealand. May I invite honourable members to help me, so that we may rise thousands from the anxieties they now labor under — no hope, no life, nothing but degradation and the downward path. Help me to lift them. Work together for true happinpss and true democracy in New Zealand "