TRIPPING ON MARBLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 10 September 1925, Page 5

TRIPPING ON MARBLE.

AA NEW POLITICAL .PITFALL. FROM OUR PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER. WELLINGTON, Sept. 9. A new Parliamentary pitfall has been discovered by Mr Edie, member, for Bruce, whose method of announcing it gave five minutes’ 'fun in the House to-day. He demanded that -ihe Prime Minister should put a carpet oyer the. marble floor of the vestibule. He had had a severe fall, arid considered the place, was a worse death-trap than a railway crossing discussed by the members the day before. Mr Coates advised Mr Edie to put the ■mestion to Mr Speaker, who controlled Parliament Buildings. “As Minister for Public Works, I am only the workman, not the director of ceremonies. It seems an awful shame that the beautiful marble floor should be covered up.’’ . Mr Edie (emphatically): “It is a death-trap!” Mr Coates: “I would not call it that, but if you don’t watch your step you nay slip.” (Laughter). I cannot suggest anything e’ee to the hon. gentleman, knowing his convictions. (Loud laughter). A member: “Put more water with it.” • The Prime Minister smilingly waited till the babble of flippant advice to Mr Edie had died down. Then he proceeded to consult Mi - Speaker to - -see if a more equitable path could be provided for members. Mr Edie showed great annoyance at th ePrime Minister’s jocularity. He explained how he had gone from one Minister to another and to Mr Speaker on the subject. It was no joke when he was laid up for three days through the fall. . • Finally Mr Speaker promised to consult the* Prime Minister over the matter -