THE SESSION

Evening Star, Issue 21518, 16 September 1933, Page 9

THE SESSION

PARLIAMENT BUILDING SMARTENED UP MORE EMPLOYMENT PROVIDED [[■'rom Our Coßßi;seoM)r.N"r.l WELLINGTON, September 16. If environment has any influence upon members of Parliament, the legislative output of the coming session should be brighter and more distinctive, because their surroundings have ceased to be commonplace and dingy. The “ new ” Parliament Building, started in 1912, was well finished in its interior, but very little has since been done to the white plastered walls, though everything has been kept scrupulously clean. The hundreds of yards of broad carpets in the corridors still look in good condition, though they have never had to bp renewed. However, tho walls had become extremely dirty, ordinary cleaning methods simply serving to display a high-water mark above which the dusters bad not penetrated. A change for the better came when one Minister decided that the corridor outside his offices should be redecorated. Tho upper walls .were distempered, and an oil paint dado of quiet colour provided. Then tho contrast with tlve rest of tho building became very striking, and a little more work was provided for the painters. Members of tbe Parliament Press Gallery induced tho authorities to spend the modest amount needed to make their quarters more presentable—they had not been redecorated since the occupation of the building. Finally, with all these contrasts between clean and dirty corridors, the Government decided to let a comprehensive contract to a private firm for complete redecoration, and the result is that Parliament Building interior regains its former dignity as a national building, and the “ hats-off ” rule imposed by the authorities will bo instinctively honoured. TWO PICTURE GALLERIES. One of the features of flic building is the Maori committee room, with many panels of beautiful Maori weaving, and the exterior of a Maori meeting house built into one end. Space has been provided for two largo historical pictures, but the walls arc blank, awaiting the happy time when there will be money to spare. However, two excellent picture displays appear on corridors to which the public have access. In the corridor leading to tho principal public galleries are hung a complete series of pictures of tho Prime Ministers of England, presented to tho dominion by Mr Ernest Makowcr in 19,‘30. They mainly comprise steel engravings, though Lloyd George (1916-22) is represented by a coloured photogravure and the present Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, is depicted in a pencil sketch. Ho is reclining in an arm chair, smoking, and rending a newspaper. His predecessors have mostly chosen a formal style of permanent portrayal, wearing robes and decorations. Included in the scries is a steel-engraving of tho old Houses of Parliament, destroyed by lire, and a fine etching of the present building af Westminster. In a lobby on tlvo main floor l.lle visitor may see photographic representations of New Zealand’s I’riino Ministers, over thirty in number, commencing with Henry Sewell, who held office for hardy a fortnight in 1856, being succeeded by William Fox. There are excellent oil paintings of Seddon and Bnllanee, and a very interesting painting showing Sir James Carroll standing by the nikaii palm under which it is said ho was born. Tho opening of the session has an appreciable effect on unemployment, for nearly fifty messengers secure wellpaid jobs, and there is also a fair amount of temporary clerical work made available. The decorating contracts have also been useful in this respect, as over 12,000yds of surfaces had to bo covered.