PRAISE AND BLAME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2533, 21 June 1909, Page 6

PRAISE AND BLAME.

REFERENCES TO NEW ZEALAND’S PARLIAMENT. DR, FINDLAY’S DEFENCE. Praise and criticism were meted ou to the Parliament of New Zealand, am the. men composing it, by some of tbv speakers at the luncheon on the occasion of the formal opening of the new Public Trust offices in ton.The first reference was made by Mr H. C. Tewsley, in proposing the toast of “Parliament,” when he expressed his conviction that the House of today had within itself the capacity to fill the same honored position that it had done in the past. The success of Parliament really lay in the hands of the people themselves. (Hear, near.) He did not say that the House did not contain many brainy men, but lie did consider that among those were continually, called upon to deal with important matters and large sums of money were men to whom some merchants would not give £2 a week. (Cries of “Oh!”) It seemed to him that the time had come when a position in New Zealand’s Parliament should be looked upon as tho highest gift in the power of the community., A MUCH-MARRIED HOUSE. The first speaker to respond to the toast was tho Hon. Dr. Findlay. Men were chiefly attracted to Parliament, lie said, by its size *as an institution. Those in Parliament to-day were just as patriotic, as loyal, and as 'efficient; for the purpose for which they were sent there as any men in any popular Assembly in the world. (Applause.) It was not simply the power to make a brilliant speech that best fitted a man to servo his country. A member of Parliament wanted industry and a disinterested desire to servo the public weal first of all, blit tie was quite sure that that was to he found in the men composing Parliament to-day. (Applause.) The outstanding feature of the present House, he had found, was that it was the most married of any public assembly in the world. Looking over the list, it was to bo seen that the House now contained more married men, more good husbands, and more, of those possessing that magnificent characteristic of submissiveness in the presence of tlieir wives. PECULIAR RESULTS. Now, this fact had had peculiar results. Not very long ago there . had been several bachelors in the Cabinet, hut the silent, potent influence of matrimony had now left none of them. Lately they had heard a great deal about the necessity of women having seats in Parliament, but ho really thought it quite unnecessary, for they already controlled the country through their husbands. Women had the right without the duty, the. privilege without the penalty, and there was no one of them who did not recognise that she had all the power she wanted. (Hear, hear.) He really thought it would be a good thing if “bachelors” w-ere placed on the list of those who could not sit in Parliament —(laughter)—along with persons of unsound mind and others. But, seriously, the purpose of public life in this country was not ornamental, and the men in Parliament now were in real earnest about their work. The main aim not be to impose opinions obstinately upon an intelligent democracy, but first to understand what the democracy wanted, and then honestly and patriotically to try and carry it out. He believed, that Parliament was trying to carry out the intelligent will of the people, and that as long as they had a House doing so they would bo well served. (Applause.) A LOYAL PARLIAMENT. In his reply to tho toast, Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., said that tho value Mr Tewsley had. placed upon members of Parliament was really below that "which he himself would put on them. As a member of the. House, he considered it was the duty of every one of them to do what he could for the Empire—(applause)—and as a young New Zealander he realised, that we. were partners in that Empire, and not the poor relations. (Hear, hear.) Anything we did for the Old Country which did not .mean some sacrifice would be worth nothing. He was' sure that members of the House, no matter of what political persuasion, were all actuated by the one desire—to promote the national good—and in spite of many imperfections were pressing on to better things.