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. -Last Tuesday, I directed the attention of the House and of the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) to the proposal to stage the pageant Hiawatha in the jubilee celebrations next year, and to the matter of its place in any pageantry associated with the fiftieth anniversary of federation. I was unable to obtain either a reply from the Prime Minister, or the name of the committee which made that decision. I have searched the records of the Parliament and of newspaper offices and there appears to be a series of committees concerned. I think they are ten in number. I was not able to place the blame adequately or fairly upon any committee for perpetrating this outrage upon the Australian people in relation to their celebrations, but I think that the Arts and Crafts Committee may be responsible. When I asked the Prime Minister whether it would be possible to obtain an answer to a question that I consider important, the right honorable gentleman stated that he did not know. It therefore seems to me that the only method by which I may obtain an answer is to emulate Longfellow and to sing another version of The Song of Hiawatha.This is my version of the poem - I should ask the great white father, Chieftain of the Aussie nation, In the wigwams of the people, Why he brings us Hiawatha From the teepees of the tycoons, Singing songs of other nations At the eating of the emu By the banks of old Molonglo. In the forest of the people Are there not much sweeter voices Than the nasal Minna-ha-ha And the windy Hiawatha - Not forgetting old Nokomis And that bore, Kabibonokka? Have we not a local Antill, Of the famed Arunta tribesmen, Who will dance among the shadows A corroboree of passion At the feast of Iguana, At the eating of the oysters And the clinking of the glasses At the skinning of the 'possum? Came there not a Henry Lawson In the song time of the nation, Singing songs of sheep and shearers Ere the days of Fadden taxes? Have we not a sweet toned Banjo Twanging songs of High Monaro And the man from Snowy River? Why will not the high-born Chieftain Of the cold Canberra wigwams Hearken to the voice of Bradfield, Listen to the plaint of Fraser, Give us something pure Australian For the sing song of the people In the land of old Eureka? I draw attention to the fact that a serious lack of planning by those responsible is demonstrated by the proposal to include Hiawatha in the pageant. It is, no doubt, a nice piece of music, but I suggest that it is woefully out of keeping with the celebration of something purely Australia. I recited the verse to honorable members in the hope that it might prompt the Prime Minister to reply in a like medium to my valid request for information and for action to repair the damage that has been done. I do not dislike Hiawatha as a song. In its class it is an excellent work, but it is not a fitting subject for our celebrations. Since reciting the verse, I have realized that I forgot to mention the jackass. I am reminded of that by hearing the voice of an honorable member opposite who has consistently interjected. I shall include that reference on the next occasion.