PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1914, 9 July 1889, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Men in responsible positions whe do net understand what they say er do are to be pitied. Mr Barron, the most roaring, ranting, senseless Freetrader in New Zealand, appeared in this plight a few nights ago.-,., He urged on tie Government to take the duty off machinery employed in making biscuits in Dunedin. The Premier reminded Mr Barron that the duty was put on for revenue purposes, that Freetraders held that duty put on for revenue purposes was right, and Mr Barron as a Freetrader should not ask for its remission. Next year probably the tax would be removed off patent machinery. Mr Barron, not abashed by the laughter provoked at his expense, asked for some relief for the irea industry. The Premier was plainly perplexed at such doctrine from such a source. “1 don’t see,” said he, “that these people do really suffer under any disability.” “They say they do,” cautiously rejoined the member for Caversham. “ Yes,” said the Premier promptly, “ but does Mr Barron, the Freetrader, say so ? ” and Mr Barron, the Freetrader, collapsed amidst roars of laughter. Mr Scobia Mackenzie asked if the Premier would also offer bonuses for other industries that needed them. Mr Mackenzie, as is well known, is, if possible, a mora acutely accented Freetrader than Mr Barron, and for a brief space Sir Harry looked at him in silence and suspicion, but Mr Scobie was not sarcastic. His question was simple and sincere, and after satisfying himself on this point the Minister told him he would be glad to favorably consider any cases that the member would submit to him. We have always held Freetraders did not know what they were talking about it, and here is proof of it. THE Hi.EE SYSTEM. The electoral Bill, involving the Hare system, will be withdrawn by the Government, as there is no prospect of carrying it. It is to be discussed this evening, and probably fcr some time yet, and the time of the Heuse is thus wasted by it. This is the second of Sir Harry Atkinson’s fads that has come to nothing, THE HOUSE OP LORDS. The members of the Legislative Council have, it is said, come to the conclusion of resisting the proposed * reform in their own Chamber, and the Bill for that purpose will be thrown . out. There are only two ways of reforming the Upper House, vis., giva them no honorarium at all—starve them out, in fact—or else swamp them with new members pledged to carry reform,