THE LAST ACT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 70, 15 December 1928, Page 8

THE LAST ACT

COMEDY IN PARLIAMENT “THE NONSENSE OF THE BEST” With the closing yesterday of the first session of the twenty-third Parliament of New Zealand ended one of the most momentous chapters in the political history of this country. While of brief duration—only ten days—the session has been marked by developments which have made it a unique event.

Only one Bill —the Finance Bill —will be placed on the Statute Book as a result of the deliberations of the members—surely a record. Yet the session has witnessed the defeat and resignation of a party which has guided the destinies of the Dominion for the last sixteen years, and the succession of a new regime without a majority of party. Not for many years has there been such a situation, and public interest has been raised to a high pitch. The session opened in an electric atmosphere, which was intensified when the Government accepted its defeat, in a dignified manner, giving way to speculation as to the personnel of the new Ministry and the proposals of the new party in power. Following the announcement of the Ministry came the keenly awaited borrowing proposals, which met with a mixed reception, although passed, after a protracted debate, to go through the Legislative Council and become law.

With a new Government in power, and its intentions explained, at least in part, the • tension relaxed when members of the House reassembled yesterday afternoon for the last time this session. The Representatives, although tired after a long night sitting, wore more cheerful and composed than they had been hitherto. Flowers graced their buttonholes, banter was exchanged freely, and plans for the approaching holidays—fishing, shooting, motoring —were gleefully exchanged. From men with nerves on edge from political cares, they had changed into care-free schoolboys. Groups vanished into regions whence proceeded the clink of glasses. Members strolled through the main hall with pipes in their mouths and their hats tipped back on their heads. The Prime Minister, and the Ministers new to power, were not aloof from those who demonstrated their cheerful philosophy at the turnings of the political wheel. , x , The opportunity to have a last joke could not be let pass. The benches filled rapidly and the Speaker brought silence with him as he entered in wig and robes. Eulogies and seasonal wishes in good spirit were exchanged, and then came the motion to adjourn the House for the session. There was a boom of “Aye” from one section of t'rn House, and another of “No!” from the remainder —a humorous perversity when their wish we. ■ naturally to conclude the business of the sitting. “The Ayes have it,” announced the Speaker. “A division!” cried a member. “Lock the doors!” called the Speaker, in compliance. “Lock the doors!” echoed the attendants in the passaces. The bells rang out sharply. Members smiled. It was a good joke. When the division bells had rung like that not so long before, however, they had signallc 1 the death of a Government, and members had filed through the doors with grim faces to record their votes. But this was comedy, a harmless burlesque. Members entered into the spirit of it with zest. They were like boys playing with a gun rendered harmless. “The Ayes will go to the right and the Noes to the left,” directed the Speaker, sonorously. Members obeyed, laughing. Even the Sergeant-at-Arms, in medals and shirt-front, relaxed into a smile. Delight greeted the announcement of the tellers, who Lad been chosen with mischievous disrespect for party. Then the doors swallowed up an even division of members, 1 the division list was duly returned in all good form and solemnly handed to the Speak. . Members resumed their seats aijd waited.

“The Ayes number 34 and the Noes—3was the unexpected announcement of the Speaker. Laughter arose again when the Speaker added: “According to the Constitution I should allow the position to remain as it is.” The situation —were there still to be situations for members even in comedy?—was decided when the Speaker declared that the House stood adjourned. Members broke up, amused and satisfied —except one politician, who expressed the opinion that the Speaker had “made a bold stroke and perpetrated a sad political blunder.” Gradually the House emptied as members passed out through the imposing marble pillars, leaving behind for another recess the building which is the forum of the land, and whose long maze of corridors carry the solemn busts and images of past statesmen who have given of their talents to their country. That those now representative of the people should leave the seat of solemn conclave with cheerfulness demonstrates t’.. .t “a little nonsense now and then is relished by the best of men.”