PARLIAMENTARY CONNOISSEURS. Will They Increase Trade?

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 168, 19 September 1903, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY CONNOISSEURS. Will They Increase Trade?

WBAT, with symposiums, Savage Clubs, a retained Bellamy's, and other side joys, the life of the member of Parliament in his off moments is not so dreary as one might imagine. No one will begrudge the people's representatives their u ell-won fun or sing-song. The latest little privilege thrust upon the members, however, makes the average man, who is not a liquor reformer, wish he were an M.H.R. too. The Government vitioultural station, at Wairangi, intend sending a quantity of wine down to the House, to be sampled by the people's representatives andl the Lords. » * * If it is good wine, without a doubt its quality will be discussed on the floor of both Houses, and up goes the price of the New Zealand product. An advertisement in "Hansard" would be so widely read. But, the possibilities of the idea ! If the Government sends samples of its manufactures to Parliament, why not private manufacturers before they are relegated to the abyss of "have beens" by the onward march of Stato industry? What is to prevent the Flour Trust from sending samples of its very best to each member, requesting him to give his opinion as to its quality? No doubt means could be found on the premises for members to bake the seductive "Johnny cake" for sampling purposes. * * * A,-i, odour of fried potatoes (the samples having been sent from the Waikato) would appeal to the galleries, while if New Zealand brewers sent a few hogsheads of their very finest along, the aspeiision that has been cast on its character would soon be removed. A discussion of the merits of the contents of the Parliamentary sample pantry would be at least as interesting as almost, anything that has been discussed so far this session, barring, of course, the abolition of barmaids, Russia having, unfortunately, forestalled us 'n that direction . * * * Reverting to the sampling of Wairangi wine, however, it is probab'e that Parliamentarians may be no judges of wine. They have so very little time to bother about such matters. Parliamentary duties and constituent?' letters must be seen to. The man in the street should be invited by the Government to do the sampling. It seems a pity to waste good liquor on men who won't appreciate it, and who can oertainly afford to pay for their own. If the habit of sending samples to members spreads, the billet will grow better every year.

A member, of course, is not neecs&anly compelled to sample everything he gets. He can stop short at pills or poious plasters. If the members weie likely, by reason of their wine sampling, to become large buyers, the step would be a most Wise one, but if they aie to test each successive vat, they won't need to buy, will they 9 You see the Government wants to advertise the wine, and to sell it. If you, who may be a draper, want to sell sealskin jackets, you don't send circulars aboui them to wharf lumpers. Perhaps, the members will find out it is very good, and tell the country so. The country, however, doesn't believe everything members tell it.