THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8255, 8 October 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1906.

Who is tbe "well-known politician in tbe Antipodes," wan is said to have sent the following letter to a professional speech manufacturer in London? "Dear sir, I liked the last twelve speeches you sent me. Please forward another dozen on the flame terms." There is a s<ia picious brevity about the order. What are the speeches about? Are they an assortment mixed by the manufacturer, on the understanding that the purchaser takes bis chance? However, the letter ia quoted bv the Daily Mail as an introduction to an article on the business of making men seem cleverer than they me. It is said—and it can easily be understood to be the case —that there are many intelligent men in. London making a comfortable living by writing speeches for members of Parliament and those who have to reply to toasts. The usual fee ii two guineas, tut, owing, no doubt, to the advent of a poorer class of member, there is a growing demand for perorations only at half a guinea eaob. "I cannot express with what satisfaction" says one of the trade, "J road my renratks in The Times, although they appear under the name of my client." The article was inspired by the inva-

sion of the business by two girls. These enterprising young people have taken rooms near the Hoaae, and hope to find a market among members and other speakers. The Daily Mail's representative caught them in the act of denouncing the House of Lords. "Mr Speaker, sir," said one, while the other took the speech down, "I rise to enter a determined nnd unflinching opposition to the passing of this Bill as amended 'in another plaoe.' Are eve,' Mr Speaker, the strongest Government that has been returned for many years, armed as we are with a definite mandate from the country, quietly to submit to the arbitrary—?" Here the orator stopped to ask her sister if she oonld spell "arbitrary," and the reek of the motion is lost to us. It can, however, be easily imagined. The pioneers naively confessed that they bad no orders as yet, but speeches would be typed and sent to certain members in time for the autumn session, when the House will have to consider the amendments made by the Lords in the Education Bill. They are, however, likely to have considerable difflcGlty in finding a market, for the reluctance of an M.P. to take tho risk of being disoovered to be indebted to a woman for his speeches is obvious. One professor of the art was quite i scornful about the newcomers, whose speeches, he said would be sure to have the feminine ring and | might contain figurative references to millinery and oooking. However J at least one woman in New York is reported to ba making a small for- j tune in the business and these English girls may be equally fortun ate.