NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1180, 4 December 1913, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

The Lyttelton by-election has caused people to ask, is there such a thing as a “sympathetic vote?" Well, let us see (says the Eltham Argus). When Mr Field died his brother was put forward as a candidate, and won the seat. When George Fisher died, his son came out and won the seat. When Mr Seddon died his son won the vacant seat. When Mr T. E. Taylor died, his closest friend, Mr Isitt, came forward as a candidate and won the seat. Mr Laureuson is dead, and his brother is contesting the vacancy—judging by past experiences his chances look good.

“It is particularly unfortunate,” says the Trade Review, “that at the beginning of what promised to be one of the best export seasons experienced by the Dominion, the position should be maned by a grave and senseless strike of waterside workers. This has seriously delayed export business, and interfered with trade generally. The financial effect is being felt mainly by the farming community, but it is understood that the hanks are doing all in their power to tide over this position. There are always heavy calls for assistance at this time of the year for moving produce, and these are heavier now ou account of the present position, thus keepiug all available funds fully employed.

In connection with the senseless “second ballot” stonewall, the Chairman of Committee is charged with having relied upon procedure that was 30 years old (says the Chronicle). But in 1902, Sir Joseph Ward, with the co-opera-tion of Mr Fred Pirani, who was placed temporarily in the chair,, ended the obstruction on the Midland Railway Bill in a precisely similar fashion to that adopted ou Monday by Mr Malcolm, The Chairman ou both occasions (Mr Pirani in 1902 and Mr Malcolm in 19x3) exercised the wide powers conferred upon them by the Standing Orders to put an end to the persistent, wilful and «tupid obstruction that was proceeding, and so saped the House from the men who would have made it impotent thus restoring to Parliament its dignity as the first deliberative assembly in the land.