Roles shift in Parliament

Wellington, August 13: The House met at 2.30pm. Mr G.W. Forbes (Hurunui) occupied the seat of the Leader of the National Party. Mr Ransom moved that leave of absence be granted to Mr Wilford, Leader of the National Party, for the remainder of the session. Mr Coates, speaking to the motion, said he was sure every member would regret the necessity for such a motion, and the wish would everywhere go out that Mr Wilford would soon be restored to normal health. Mr Holland briefly but feelingly regretted the fact that Mr Wilford found it necessary to ask for leave, and expressed the hope that he would soon be sufficiently restored to health to resume his parliamentary duties. Mr Forbes, on behalf of the National Party, thanked the Leaders of the other parties for their kindly and sympathetic reference to Mr Wilford. He felt sure that Mr Wilford would deeply appreciate the kindly references which had been made to him by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Labour Party. The motion was agreed to.

Thomas Wilford steps down

For some weeks now it has been apparent that the health of Mr T.M. Wilford, Leader of the Opposition, has not been satisfactory. He had taken the advice of medical men and it was certified that he was suffering from severe nervous debility. It was freely stated that it was more than probable that he would have to take a sea voyage, involving a somewhat prolonged absence from the House of Representatives. On the last occasion on which he made a speech in the House it was evident that he spoke with a considerable want of confidence in himself; as a matter of fact, he had difficulty in finishing his speech and nearly broke down. Since then he has been only once in the House. — by ODT Wellington correspondent

Friending naval visitors

A Dunedin soldier who achieved high honours during the war and a friend have adopted a very sensible method of entertaining our American visitors. They stroll along the street and the first two sailors they meet are invited to have lunch with them. The invitation is always gladly accepted, and the two Dunedinites are getting a more intimate knowledge of American life than most people.

Beating Aussies at forestry

In the matter of forest development, Australia has in all approximately 74 square miles of plantations. New Zealand has 100 square miles of plantations (one-third as much again as the whole of Australia), and this area is being added to at the rate of 17,500 acres, or over 27 square miles per year.

1.4m New Zealanders

The estimated population of the dominion (including Maoris) as at June 30 last: Males 705,921. Females 676,015. Total 1,381,938.

Parole system working

There has been the shadow of a controversy concerning the methods of the Prisons Board in releasing offenders. The board acts on psychological and experimental grounds. It bases its decisions on the reports of officials upon whose fairness of judgment it has reason to rely. Speaking generally, we should be inclined to say that justice is done, and reasonable mercy afforded. 

Moreover, the records show that the clemency which it extends to prisoners has, as a rule, not been abused. — editorial — ODT, 14.8.1925

Compiled by Peter Dowden