POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9796, 20 October 1917, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES

A SERIOUS BILL GIVES RISE iO POLITICAL PERSIFLAGE. A debate in Parliament on such a subject as social hgyieno would hardly be looked for to provide anything in tho wav of an amusing discussion. When tho lion. 'G. W. Russell’s Social Hygiene Bill came before tho House last night, however, its reception was more frivolous than dignified. For a start a member proposed that tho bill bo called the Venereal Diseases Bill. He believed in calling a spado a spade. T'jia name of social hygiene was misleading. Air AlcCalium and Mr Wilford then proceeded merrily to dilate on the title of social hyg.ono. Mr McCallura objected to the uigh-sounding title, and delved into Grecian mythology to back up his argument. He wanted to know what the Goddess Hygcia Had done to be dragged into such a subject. At any rate, continued Mr McCallum, very few people could correctly pienounce the word hygiene. He forthwith proceeded to demonstrate the correct and incorrect pronunciation of the word. His utterances were listened to with the greatest relish. Ihis opening to the debate was only a prelude to a stonewall on tho bill that lasted to a late hour. culture"and ridicule. A high-sounding medical phrase fell glibly irom the up.s ot Air 'I. M. Wilrord in tho House last night,, and it evoked the usual chorus of interruptions that anything out of the ordinary in Parliamentary verbiage is wont to do. ‘‘what was it?” asked a member anxious to have his pars again tickled by the verbal delicacies. Air Wilford acquiesced. ‘'On, call it aurora borealis,” cried Air Payne amidst great laughter. . “TIME DOES FLY.” “You are along time about it,” said Mr H. G. El! in the House yesterday to Sir Joseph Ward when he questioned the Minister about a return ho had a.skod for. “Why. I asked for the return last August,” added Air Ell seriously. ‘'Time does ftjy,” observed Sir Joseph blandly. A PROBLEM "SOLVED. Mr T. M. Wilford in tho House yesterday solved tho problem of dealing with the conscientious objectors. They should be employed, he said, on minesweepers, where they could satisfy their susceptibilities bv removing engines of destruction in the shape of mines. A member: “And always he removed themselves.” Air Wilford agreed that this would solve tho pr'/dera once and for all.