FEATURES OF NEW PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 134, 2 March 1936, Page 8

FEATURES OF NEW PARLIAMENT

Radio Installation IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF LABOUR MEMBERS Independents Among Nationalists A novel feature in. the House of Representatives wheu the new Parliament meets on March 25 will be an additional table in an unobtrusive position, taking up but little of the already cramped space. Seated at this table will be two strangers—one a broadcasting commentator or announcer at a super-sensitive microphone, the other, a radio technician, ready at a signal to open one of four microphones for the greater enlightenment of the unseen people and to switch off three others go that practically none of the “too much loud conversation” will go forth to city and town, hamlet and hut. The innovation will represent New Zealand’s first attempt at broadcasting politics. Although the authorities are keen on the experiment, there is prediction of a short life for it unless the new Parliament brings forth a higher percentage of inspired debaters than has been known for many years.

There will be four “hanging microphones,” one for each section or grouping of the House. It had been suggested that either individual microphones or only one large central “collector” should be used—this latter may be adopted for the opening of Parliament—but, after giving consideration to tlie disadvantages of both, the technicians, it is said, have decided to install four instruments, suspended from the ceiling of the House at points covering the grouped benches of members.

This arrangement is expected to give adequate efficiency in broadcasting the principal speeches without allowing too much interruption or incidental comment and conversation to escape into the ether and so into the ears of listeners. It is recognised, of course, that some of the “real atmosphere” of Parliamentary debates must be broadcast, too, for without it a political speech might be considered by listeners as being insipid entertainment. Indeed, a good “row” in the House probably would prove as popular as the description of an all-in wrestling match. Another feature of tlie new House likely to command attention will be the remarkable array of Government members, reminiscent of the old Seddonian days when Liberals laughed. The Labour Party’s 55 representatives will occupy almost three-fourths of the available seating accommodation. As a matter of fact, two Independents, Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) and Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) will be seated together on a bench in the back row of the Opposition benches, to the left of the Speaker. Two other Independents, Mr. H. M. Rushworth (Bay of Islands) and Mr H. Atmore (Nelson) will have an end seat each in the back rows of the centre benches, but separated by the aisle leading to and from the main entrance to the House. Ministerial Benches. Most of the benches of two rows of the block to the right of the Speaker will be occupied by Ministers. According to present arrangements, the front benchers will be the Prime Minister, Hon. M. J. Savage, and the Deputy-Leader, Hon. P. Fraser, who will sit together; the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, and the Minister of Industries- and Commerce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan; the Minister of Labour, Hon. 11. T. Armstrong, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry; the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, and the AttorneyGeneral, Hon. H. G. R. Mason. Four other Ministers will be seated in the second row .of benches, the benchmates being the Minister of Mines, Hon. P. C. Webb, and the PostmasterGeneral, Hon. F. Jones, behind Messrs. Nash and Sullivan, and the Minister of Lands, Hon. F. Langstone, and the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. Lee Martin, behind Messrs. Semple and Mason. The Parliamentary Undersecretary, Mr. J. A. Lee, and the Government Whip, Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) will sit together behind Messrs. Armstrong and Parry, while Mr. W. J. Jordan (Manukau). who is to be the next High Commissioner in London, and Mr, R. McKeen (Wellington South) will be together behind Messrs. Savage and Fraser. A Formal Opening. The new Parliament will be the twenty-fifth in New Zealand’s history, but the silver jubilee will be numerical only. Although it is known already that many people have expressed intention of attending the opening of Parliament on Wednesday, March 25, it should be noted that the procedure will be extremely formal and entirely without spectacular features. Parliament will be opened by a Commission of Legislative Councillors, who, having been already sworn-in, can take an active part in parliamentary business. It is, of course, an offence for other members to take any part until they have been sworn in, hence the need of devoting the first day to the swearingin of members by the Clerk of the House. Mr. T. D. H. Hall, who administers the oath, and the subsequent election by the House of a Speaker, who on this occasion will be Mr. W. E. Barnard, Labour M.P. for Napier. The real day as far as attractiveness is concerned will be Thursday, March 26. when the Governor-General, Lord Galway, will deliver the “Speech from the Throne” in the Legislative Council Chamber. It should be an interesting address.