HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 11, 12 July 1912, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TO TUX XDITOB. ' Sir, — I Happened to be in the Strangers' Gallery of the House, of Representatives on Friday night, when the now | historical and memorable debate on tne no-confidence motion was proceeding. However, it is not my intention to comment on that debate. What I wish to draw your attention to ,is the ,, interior arrangements of the House. Much can be done to improve the existing conditions. When I entered the gallery 1 was immediately impressed -with the fainiliai* atmosphere of the whole scene. An "evening party," or an "at home," or a "conversazione" sort of air, seemed to prevail. I tried to realise that I ' was "in Parliament" watching and listening to that i august .Assembly transact the business of the "country. The 'mental strain was too great; I gave up, the idea, and at once became an amused spectator. The solemnity of the occasion, the dignity and decorum of members, which should be an outstanding feature in deliberative Assemblies, was painfully absent. If members had been smoking or expectorating into fancy spittoons I would not have been surprised, and I was fully prepared for a speech from some of the ladies present on the floor of the House. Women ale not allowed on the floor of the House -in any other. Parliament that I, know of,. Why they should be here I cannot understand. At present the arrangements are such that ladies who occupy ih^se back chairs can lean over and talk (o, ,or shake, hands with, those, members who • occupy' the ' back benches, while members can walk up to, sit beside, and speak to any of their lady friends who occupy these unnecessary chairs, whilst some, other member is addressing the House, The Public Gallery, too, is tar too small and cramped. . There ifi no reason why the partition at the back of the Speakers- Gallery should not be carried further back. .There are only two waiting-rooms &hd,a porch, far too large for present requirements, behind tho gallery. These could either be made smaller or done away with altogether, for all the use they are. If* this suggestion be carried out it will provide ample accommodation for both men and women. In addition, a five or six-foot barrier should be erected' in front of the gallery, and the floor of the gallery raised ; Cbis would prevent ' members from associating with their lady friends, and would prove effective in preventing ladies from passing notes or talking to their gentlemen friends in the Speaker's Gallery. If the gallery be increased^ as I have suggested, the back benches of the House could be moved nearer the windows, and SO' increase the paeskges leading to the '-aye" and "no' 1 lobbies, where unnecessary confusion exists at present. Members, strangers, and Hansard staff cross and recroßS, and often jostle one another, . in ' these -passageways. '. It* certainly does not add to, the dignity of Parliament. Regarding Hansard staff, they, could very well be accommodated in that partition'ed-off space 'cphtaining a few chairs (which are nearly always vacant) to the left of the 'Press 'Gallery. Another thing ;\ 'Ih the p'reient Strangers' Gallery, it is- -quite • a coinmbn thing to see' hats and /overcoats 'promiscuously exhibited; in :tHe front row an'din the back rows. ■ In the Public Gallery, of,' the o^d- 'House of Representatives, hats, overcoats, parcels, or anything else, were not allowed to be exhibited. The" offending occupant was immediately "spotted" from the floor of the House, and requested, by a messenger to remove the eyesore. Probably this rule Was burnt with the "old associati6ne." If the noble traditions of Parliament are to remain, if dignity is to .return, then these alterations must be carried out. It will certainly clear the ' atmosphere of the "evening-party" appearance.— l am, «tc, C. G. W. j