A VISIT TO PARLIAMENT.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 14, 28 August 1930, Page 11

A VISIT TO PARLIAMENT.

A very' interesting visit to ParliaBteat Buildings was arranged for Stu. lid boys of the Eastern Hutt School by Mr. Walter Nash, MJP;, on Tuesday of last week. The party left the school by special Imb at 11 a.m accompanied by Mr. Harland of the Eastern Hutt School staff, and was met .by Mr. and Mrs. W. Nash and Mr. W. V. Dyer, Chairman of the school committee, at the main entrance to Parliament Buildings. The boys were conducted first of all to the House itself, where Mr. Nash gave them a very vivid and careful explanation: of the arrangements, commencing with the Speaker's Chair, the names of the various Government members, and their places in the Ohamiber, tdso the places occupied by the Official Opposition arid the Labour Party; He explained the procedure of the House, from the entrance of the Soargeant-at-Arms with the Mace ; his announcement

of the Speaker, the Speaker's opening

the placing of the Mace <upon wtbe table of the House and the procedure following. All of which, the boys followed with keen interest, which was evidenced by the questions they promptly asked when invited to do so. From the Chamber they proceeded to other parts of the building, the Library was visited, also the Maori committee room with, its wonderful carvings and decorations. At the Legislative Councfl they were fortunate enough to meet HJon Mr. Thomson, M.L.C., who explained t>h.e';proeeduTe in this Chamber to the boys and pointed out also some of

the noteworthy features of the room, 6uch as the canopy and table made of puriii taken" from railway sleepers over 40 years old and the beautiful New Zealand marble pillars, etc. Here also they met the Hoii. J. A, Hanan to whoso good offices when Minister of Education, the Eastern Hutt School owes a great deal. Mi\ Dyer made reference to this and in response to the applause of the boys Hon. Mr Hanan made a sploiidid little speech. The boys were then taken on the roof of trh.e building from which a wonderful view of Wellington was obtained. Mr Dyer took tho opportunity at this juncture to thank Mr; and Mrs. Nash for their kindness in arranging the trip.

I The Dominion Museum was. visited at 1.30 p.m. and at 2.5 p.m they again assembled at the Main Entrance to Parliament Buildings. ; V.They were then taken to the gallery of the House fi'oni whence they were able to follow the whole procedure of the opening of the sitting, as explained by Mr. Nash in the morning. From the entrancd of the Sergeant-at-Arms until they had to leave at 3.15 p.m, the boys were keenly interested. They heaTd Mr. Holland introduce a Bill dealing with the coal mining industry, also Mr. the Prime Minister, Mr. Bansom, Mr. Ngata and Mr. Cabbo all speak in answer to questions from the House, etc. They then witnessed the procedure following upon the House going into Committee—the Speaker leaving the Chair, the Chairman of Committees presiding, the placing of the Mace under the tablo and the continuance of

the date on the Finance Bill. At 3.15 they left the Chamber to meet Mrs. Nash for afternoon tea in the Reception. Room. After an enjoyafole tea one of the boys, Gilbert Natusch, on behalf of the party thanlced Mr and Mrs. Nash for their hospitality and Mr. Nosh expressed the; pleasure the boys' interest had afforded him.

A safe arrival at the Hutt at 4.£0 brought to a close an enjoyable and memorable day's outing.