VISIT TO PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 4

VISIT TO PARLIAMENT

Correspondence School Children A very full and interesting afternoon was spent by more than a hundred children and ex-pupils of the Correspondence School, who have been spending the week in Wellington, when, in company with some of the parents who have come to Wellington with them, they visited Parliament House yesterday. They were entertained at afternoon tea by the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser after they had been shown through the Parliamentary Buildings and listened for an hour to a debate in the House. Tlie afternoon tea party was a delightfully friendly and informal affair, and took place in the old Legislative Council Chamber. Long tables laden with attractive cakes, biscuits and sandwiches were placed in rows for the children at one end of the room, and the parents were seated at the other end and had tea handed round to them. It was interesting to note that a number of Lone Guides, who are. in “camp” at, Flrt.h House, Wellington College, were in the party. Several Cabinet Ministers and members were present, and it was a thrilling moment for the children when Mr. Fraser announced the arrival of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, who came in for several minutes and spoke to the gathering. “I count it a privilege to meet you,” Mr. Savage told the boys and girls, “and I assure you that wherever the cause of education is our hearts will always be. The battles of the future will be won by <’he education of the people. We want you to be in the lead —to 'take the vanguard in the future for your country. You have the facilities, and it is our job to see that they are fully developed. We are interested in you, whatever part of the country you may come from, because you are humans, and we want to be with you and give you the best we can.” Mr. Savage went on to speak of the possibilities that radio offered in enabling those children in the backblocks bo come into closer contact with those in the cities. It was hoped to use radio to a greater extent in tne schools for this purpose. He spoke of the value of service—“ What a wonderful world it will be when the children of to-day, who are the rulers of bo-morrow, will have as their watchword, ‘We live to serve.’ “We think you will be able to rise to those heights,” Mr. Savage continued. “It is not a one-man job—you all have a responsibility. l ? eel that you have a life to live, and live it in the service of humanity. From the bobtom of my heart I wish you well. We can go on to greater heights if we will only march together—to victory ”

Mr. Fraser called for three cheers for the Prime Minister, which were given with great enthusiasm. He then gave a brief resume of the start of bhe Correspondence School, and its rapid growth, and later asked a former Minister for Education, the Hon. S. G. Smith, to speak to the children and parents. Other Ministers also spoke briefly, and all were lavish in their praise of the wonderful work that the Correspondence School had done and continued to do for the hundreds of children who lived out of range of the ordinary schools. Mr. and Mrs. Fraser were thanked for their hospitality—the children showing their appreciation by rousing cheers.

AFTERNOON AT LYCEUM CLUB Baskets and bowls of vivid iceland poppies and hydrangeas in more subdued tones showed up effectively against the deep blue curtains in the artistic rooms of the Lyceum Club yesterday afternoon, when a reception was given in honour of Miss Ethel Morrison and Miss Elaine Hamill, the two New Zealand actresses now appearing in Wellington. The guests of honour were received by the president, Mrs. C. J. B. Norwood, who, in a brief speech welcomed them to the club, and expressed her pleasure at the return to popularity of the .stage. Miss Morrison, she said, had been entertained by the club on a previous occasion, but this was the first time they had had the pleasure of meeting Miss Hamill. Mrs. Norwood then presented the two guests with charming shonlder'sprays. Replying for herself and Miss Hamill, Miss Morrison said it gave her great pleasure to be entertained by members of the Lyceum Club once again. She was very pleased to think that the stage was coming back into its own once more in New Zealand, and when she looked around and saw the number of dramatic clubs and societies that were in existence, she realised that much was being done to keep the public in touch with the stage and to develop a liking for it. “While they are active,” she added, “we shall retain the theatre.” Afternoon tea was served and a musical programme arranged by Miss George was greatly appreciated. Miss Edna Parton, accompanied by Miss Dorothy Mills, sang; Mrs. Norman Izett, accompanied by Mr. Izett, also gave vocal numbers, and pianoforte solos were given by Mr. Izett. During the afternoon those present were given the opportunity of meeting and talking to the guests of honour. Miss Morrison was in a deep navy costume with an ivory satin blouse and small velour hat and dyed ermine cravat. Miss Hamill, who was accompanied by her mother, wore an almond green frock and a velour halo hat to match with a stiffened eye-veil. She also wore a small cape of cinnamon-toned summer ermine. Among those present were Mrs. Crawford (vice-president), Mrs. J. C. Andersen, Miss Warry (Queensland), Mrs. Bickerton, Mrg. Kean, Miss George, Mrs. D. McLaren, Mrs. McClune, Miss Thornhill, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Maunder, Mrs. Lyon, Miss Llndergard, Mrs. Bally, Mrs. Herbert. Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Reid, Mrs. Martin, Mrs Grant, Mrs Willoughby, Miss O’Donoghue, Miss Harpen, Miss K. Fuller, Miss A. Gray, Mrs. McKittrick, Mrs. Braddon, Mrs. Lyle, Miss Ahern. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Hutton gave a very enjoyable dinner party at their home in Oriental Bay during the week to celebrate the engagement of thenson John to Miss Marlon Calder. Opportunity was also taken to bid farewell to Mr. lan Calder, who will leave Wellington to-day for England to further his studies in architecture.