THE CORONATION INVITATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 48, 27 February 1911, Page 8

THE CORONATION INVITATION.

Some members of Parliament are snrprised at the nature of the invitation, which has been extended to eight representatives of the people to attend theCoronation ceremonies. The feeling in the House when the subject was first discussed at the latter end of last year was that the "chosen" would be guests in every sense of the word from the time they left New Zealand until they set foot on its shores again. Now it is realised that those who are selected to go — if any selection is made — will berequired to find their own expenses, save for a fortnight's accommodation. The Chairman of Committees of the House said to a Post reporter- to-day,: — "In the first place," said the Chairman' of Committees to a Post reporter today, "the invitation i& too late, and in the eecond place it is somewhat insignificant. A member will require £120 for his steamer fare and another £100 for expenses while in London. It would be better to go Home without an in-, .vitation— at least that is what I should do if I were going."' "I think that any member who can afford the time and whoso means will permit should accept the invitation," said Mr. Herdman, M.P., when asked for his views on the subject. Ho did not, however, think that the country ought to be asked to bear ths expense of members' passages. Mr. Herdman pointed out also that the invitation did not come from Uie British Government, but from a Parliamentary Committee. Mr. T. M. Wili'ord has replied to Sir Joseph Ward that as it would be impossible for him to make arrangements to go t Home at such short notice he could not submit his name to go on the list from which a selection is to, be made.