POLITICAL NOTES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 146, 22 June 1915, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

A QUIET HOUSE PARLIAMENT TO BE OPENED BY COMMISSION. There is no galvanism, no thrill, yet in the air of Parliament Buildings. Ministers are working quietly at their desks with matters "not for publication" at present. A lonely member strays into the silent corridors and lobbies, and is glad enough to return to the city. "Politics is dead," various law-makers say, and one hears not any herald exclaiming: "Long live politics." A member for an Otago constituency was questioned to-day about the prospect, and his main statement was a fervent wish for a short session — not in, excess of six weeks — and a quick return home. Indeed, he declared that he would like to be back in his own. district today. He added that things political were dead subjects in Otago — and it seems that the people's interest in those matters (except taxation and the cost of living) is not appreciably greater in other provinces. A SEAT FOR THE M.P. The opening of Parliament to-morrow will be by Commission, for the simple reason that the new House has not yet elected its Speaker. Mr. Lang went out of office with the expiration of the old House's lease of life. He has been returned as a member, but not aa Speaker; this appointment will be made on Thursday afternoon. The Governor will read the Speech on Friday afternoon, with the usual ceremony. For many years a member elected by the people has considered himself entitled to a seat in the Lower House, but "standing room only" in tho Legislative Council when the Governor appears in state and recites the Government's mind on things done and to be done. On this occasion the Representatives are to be all seated. As far back as tho time of Sir George Grey some provision was made for the seating of the Representatives in the Council Chamber on opening days, but a standing habit developed. Probably there were not enough chairs arranged for all, and eventually it was believed that a standing position was fit and proper for members of the popular Chamber. A BUSY MINISTER. With Defence and Finance— to cay nothing of Education — the Hon. James Allen nas abundance of work in these days. When he returned to-day from a brief visit to the South, he found that the letter-carriers had been very buey. Letters and telegrams invade the office in massed formation, and the spectacle is one to make an average onlooker thankful to be well out of it. Only people who had urgently important business had a chance to get within earshot of the Minister to-day. An appointment for a deputation had to be indefinitely deferred. "COALITION"? All kinds of speculation about " coalition " are in circulation among interested parties. It is understood that this subject will be discussed at caucus meetings of the Government and the Opposition within the next two or three days.