An Embarrassing Situation.

Manawatu Herald, 19 August 1899, Page 2

An Embarrassing Situation.

A highly diverting incident broke the monotony of the Financial Debate yesterday atternoon. It is well known that certain members of the House act as political correspondents of newspapers in their electorates, and, in addition to supplying news items, occasionally find opportunity for flattering little " puffs," drawing attention to their own transcendent merits. And sometimes they also invite attention to the good qualities of brother members of the Party. Recently the senior member for Christchurch City (Mr Lewis) came across what looked very like one of these items in the Nelson Colonist, and it is perhaps superfluous to add that the paragraph, which was from the paper's " own correspondent" at Wellington, had reference to the member for the district, Mr Graham. It read— "At the conclusion of Mr Graham's speech, which was only closed by the time-limit, Ministers, members of the Government Party, and Treasury officials, alike congratulated him upon his successful effort, many walking up to his seat to shake him by the hand, apparently much to his surprise. And he had cause to be pleased, such a compliment being a rare occurrence in the House." Mr Lewis, in his speech yesterday, said he had done his best, but he was afraid he would not produce the same effect as appeared to have been caused by the speech of the member for Nelson. Judging by the report sent to the Colonist, the effect must have been electrical. He had endeavoured in vain to discover the authorship of the telegram. He had enquired in the Press Gallery, and could find no representative of the paper there, and had been making vast drafts upon his imagination in his effort to discover the author. He was conscious that no such fame as that which had been showerad upon the member for Nelson awaited him. He did not suppose that members would rush across the floor of the House to shake hands with him, or that Ministers would lay aside their Party prejudices, to tender their congratulations, and he hoped fhe'^Ereasury officials and messengers would not incur Mr Speaker's displeasure by disturbing the decorum of the House in their desire to compliment him. He had no desire, however, to prevent them from gratifying their noble lm»

pulses, and if any wished to shake him by the hand he would be in the lobby fot that purpose at 5.30. — Members roared with laughter, and all eyes were turned on the member .for Nelson, tvhose rosy hue itetokened liis feelings. Mr Gfaham rather 'gave himself away" by interjecting, in the middle Of Mr Lewis's recital of the compliments bestowed upon him in the telegram : " Its quite truej" Members are still in search of the ailthor of the telegram, and the representative of Nelson is reported ta be subjected in the lobbies to the merciless chaff of his brother politicians. — Post.