Political Prattle

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 51, 1 March 1912, Page 9

Political Prattle

THE TALKING SHOP. Members of Parliament assembled in strong force on Tuesday of last week to take part in the Address-in-Rcply and incidentally to decide the fate of the country's government. * » * The Government led off with Reed, I rom the kauri timber districts, facing the Speaker. His speech was far from brilliant, dust the humdrum repetition of what has been poured repeatedly into the ears of the New Zealand people. After Reed's flood of talk—he is far from being an orator- subsided, J. C. Thompson, he from the cold lake 3 locality, followed. He talked and talked with that chilly air which he has contracted through being surrounded so long by no-license areas. There was nothing startling about his "piece" ; the same old trash dished up day after day with the appalling regularity of hash at the model boarding-house. * * * Then came Massey. Bluff Bill—the Moses of New Zealand, according to "Doc Newman—cleared his throat preparatory to launching his muditnunpcted no-oouhdenco motion. It came —a long weary dissertation, uninspiring, mediocre, if not absolutely dulling, ending up by tho amendment that tho had no confidence, in tho present Administration. Critics are unanimous in their declaration that Massey absolutely failed to rise te tho occasion. Tho average cockatoo, addressing a gathering of his fellows upon the iniquity of Socialism, could havo carried out his programme equally well. A grumpy old man, a little moro out of temper than usual, fairly describes Massey on that occasion. Ward followed. Whatever may be .said to the contrary, there is absolutely no comparison between Ward and Massey intellectually. The man from the Bluff towers head and shoulderi above the bluff man from the North. Ward's speech was good. It has been described as Ward at his best. He kicked at all and sundry, and finally ended up by announcing his intention to pull out'from the leadership of his party. Of course, Sirjoo was wise; ho saw 'something coming. But anyhow he made a lino fighting speech to mark his exit as Prime Minister. * * * Allen, of Bruce, then took up the running. This man is a narrow and bigoted Tory of the very crustiest type. in private' life he apes the military martinet under the awe-inspiring handlo of "Colonel" Allen. It goes without saving that ho is but an amateur soldier, never having had any actual experience in the throat-slitting business. But ho is' an ardent, supporter of conscription, believing that the ago should be raised to 45 years. As a possiblo Minister of Defence, ho is likely to have a very lively future. Allen's job was to tear W 7 ard to pieces, and he certainly succeeded in giving the Barrcnettc a rough time. But the wily Joseph got hack afc Allen with a personal explanation, and gave him a few hot ones. * * * After Millar had spoken, .smaller fry on both sides followed, and prolonged a weary and painful _ discussion, by wrangling over trivialities of an exceedingly' childish nature. * * * Someone whispered to the writer that if a law were passed compelling aspirants for political honors to iundergo an examination in economics, the mentality of the Houso would be raised. The writer ventures the opinion that it would mean the removal of 90 per cent, of the present members from their seats. Anyone who imagines our parliamentarians are intellectually endowed abovo their fellows only needs to visit the talking-shop once or twice, and to hear the absolute drivel talked, to bo disillusionised. * « * Interested as tho country at largo might bo in tho opinions of rival leaders, tho men for whom the people were waiting were the little group of Labori'es. They were in the public eye far moro than either Ward or Massey. At last "Labor arose," Payne, of Grey Lynn, ieadinti. the author of "Sehemo

15" analysed tho political situation for the boiietil ol' tlio House. He stated frankly Clint he was there to makefile best possible deal for Labor. Aga.in.st tho policy of the Government, a.s foreshadowed in tlie Governor's Speech, the Opposition od'ored nothing. He could therefore do bettor for his eonstit uouts, the working-pe'ipl'* of Grey Lynn, by supporting the Liberal fatty. Ho might ho accused ol breaking his pledge, but it was in the best interests of Labor to do what lie was doing. The policy of the Government contained much that "sehoino 'ID" made provision for, and hoeau** of that he would vole with tlie Government agiii'st laudshnrkdoni. » * * Grey Lynn's representative by his vigorous speech, caused far more interest and excitement than that aroused by any other speaker. Cheers from the Liberals and wails from the Reformers erected its conclusion * * * A little later in the evening (Thursday) Labnrite Hiwlmarsh upended himself and made both parties exclaim "WhaH'orr" This fiery member trounced all round, and was particularly severe with "Labor-rat" Millar. According to Ilindmarsh, Millar is no democrat, arid never again will they bo found voting to Author, hut on this occasion he would vote with tho Liberal Party as against, tho Massoyites as being the lesser of two evils. * * * CREY LYNN'S MEMBER. On Friday night, in the 'Ouse, Massey and his henchman, Dickson, would appear to have seriously bungled in their allegations Against Payne, of Grey Lynn. In tho debate which followed upon the motion that a committee of inquiry lie set up to inquire into tho matter, it was plainly evident that the Opposition regretted the tactical blunder it had committed. As was vory outspokenly stated by Robertson, of Otakj, it was almost certain that the trouble was made because of the announcement by Payno as to how he was going to voto upon tho no-con-fidence motion. Spectators of the scene, enacted on Friday last were hardly cditiod by the despicable tactics and seeming terrorism indulged in by a certain class of politician in order to gratify sordid ambitions. * * * ROBERTSON'S VOTE. At tho mass meeting of the Fltixmill Employees' Union, held in Palmersto-n North, which was attended by nearly 800 members, a resolution was carried, with but two'dissentients, that J. Robertson, M.P., bo released from his pledge to vote against the Government on a no-coniidenco motion, and that he lie asked to record his vote in its favor. It was this Union which was responsible for Robertson's candidature, and bore the bulk of the expenses in connection with his campaign. The '"naxies" consider that in view of the political situation, and because of the bitter hostility displayed by the Tory press towards organised Labor of late, this is the wisest course their representative could possibly pursue. * * ROYAL COMMISSION ON MINES. The report of the Royal Commission on Mines was laid on the table of the House Last week. It is a voluminous budget, containing the evidence and finding of the Commission.