POLITICAL NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 462, 17 June 1909, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE CHAMPAGNE LUNCHEON.

The extravagance oi the champagne luncheon with which the new Public Trust Office was opened has not escaped the attention of members. In the course of his Address-in-Reply speech, Mr Malcolm said it must have cost fully 'Mr Massey: More like ,£3OO. “I dare say it would,” continued Mr Malcolm, “but it is not so much the question of the amount as the question of the character of the expenditure that matters, at a time like this, when the Government have to turn out of their employment men by the score, and even by the hundred. I say that at the least it shows an entire want of consideration to display extravagance in that public way. Mr Millar said it was not a Government department. Mr Massey replied that it was under the control of a Minister, and the Government could take three-fourths of the profits. Mr Malcolm added it was being freely stated that after the luncheon bottles of champagne were being sold at 2s each.

“The Gaming and Lotteries Act of last session,” said Mr G. V. Pearce (Patea) in the House of Representatives on Saturday last, “was supposed to reduce the amount of gambling. But what has it done?. It has increased it very much.” Some time ago, he added, he had been at a race meeting where two or three bookmakers were nearly killed by the crowd. If such things were allowed to go on there would in time be murder done. He thought anyone who knew anything about racing would confirm what he said.

Not only do we give two Dreadnoughts, but we would sell our boots and go with one meal a day to maintain the sovereignty of the seas and the integrity of the Empire.—Mr Graham. “They are only a few tourists returning home” —the Hon. R. McKenzie, on the emigration question. Mr R. A. Wright—“lf you saw the steamer leaving the wharf you would think they were the most extraordinary lot of tourists you ever saw.”

“It is the most incongruous Cabinet that I have seen during my sixteen years experience in this House ” —Mr Graham.

“There are just as good freeholders on this side of the House as on your side” —Mr R. B. Ross, to Mr Malcolm.

“No matter how high we raise the tariff, the greed of the capitalist will rise, still higher”—Mr Malcolm.

“What’s the good of talking about bushfelling for men who are only used to driving a quill pen ?’ ’ —Mr R. A. Wright on the unemployed proposals of the Government.

“Supposing the Government had offered the Home Government twenty Dreadnoughts ?” Mr Wright. “We would have put them in an asylum,” retorted anhon. member.

Mr Hogg—“All the growls come from the Opposition side of the House. From this side we only get appreciative barks.”

Mr Luke —“I don’t knowhow Sir Joseph Ward is coming back. Perhaps he is coming back as the Governor of New Zealand, if so, we must have a decent cage to put him in. I wish Mr Massey would go home with Sir Joseph Ward. If he did he would when he came back probably find Sir Joseph Ward leader of the Opposition.” “Mr Wilford’s speech was a rechauffe of magazine articles. Beg pardon, is French allowed in this House ?”—Mr G. M. Thomson’s humour.

“The leader of the Opposition calls me the fly in the amber. He would probably like to find me drowned in molasses.”—Hon. A. W. Hogg.