The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1908. PARLIAMENTARY WORKERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 391, 30 May 1908, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1908. PARLIAMENTARY WORKERS.

Speaking at the Farmers’ Union banquet at Feilding on Wednesday, Mr John Stevens, M.P., said that, notwithstanding what may be thought of the New Zealand Parliament, it had no peer for decorum and no such regrettable incidents had occurred in it as had occurred in the legislatures of some other countries. They knew how to conduct their business. He attributed this good result largely to the able sequence of Speakers, such as Bell, Munro,. O’Rourke,

and now Guinness, that had presided over the House of Representatives. A Parliament which included both parties was endeavouring to pass laws to induce the prosperity of all classes. The course of inventions, particularly in the shortening of the sea voyages, coupled with the awaking of tlie teeming Eastern nations, had changed materially the position of New Zealand to the rest of the world in regard to its vulnerability to attack, and it was now necessary to pay more attention to our means of defence, particularly by sea. He urged the necessity of forbearance between political

parties, so as to reach a satisfactory settlement conducing to the general good.