“PARLIAMENT”

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3492, 30 October 1926, Page 5

“PARLIAMENT”

ADDRESS BY Mil J. A. NASH, M-P. BUSINESS GIRDS’ LUNCH CLUB. Slowly but surely tha Palmerston North Business Girls’ Lunch Club has been growing, and yesterday saw a record attendance at tha fortnightly luncheon, when Mr J. A .Wash, ILF., gave an address on “Parliament," Miss E. Burrell preside! over the function. “The British Parliament is the Mother of Parliaments, and we to-day as a people owe to her a debt of gratitude and thanks for the fine tradition inherited from the great statesmen she has produced." stated Mr. Nash, who gave a brief resume of the growth of English Parliament. When dealing with the New Zealand Government, the • speaker explained that the first Prime Minister was the late Mr Hanry Sewell, but in those times the life of a Government was a short one. From 1856 to 1865 there was not less than eight Governments in power, and up to the time of the late Mr. Seddon assuming office In j 1893, no less than 37 different Governments had boon formed. The late Messrs Seddon arid Massey, however, enjoyed long terms, each remaining in office for nearly thirteen years. In explaining the rules of the House, the visitor stated that when the House was sitting, the Speaker was in charge, and his rulings in all matters were final. Members wore not allowed many liberties—on the contrary they were confined strictly to the rules of the House, and omy tha person named by the Speaker ttt.s allowed to address.the Assembly. “I am afraid it will be difficult for women when they are elected to Parliament, because it is difficult to stop’ them when they want to speak,” humourously remarked Mr, Nash, who said he felt sure that in time women would be elected to UarJiamenL “The customs of Parliament are In some ■ ways-peculiar,” remarked Mr. Nash. ‘‘For instance, we can sit In our seats with out hats on, but cannot wear them while walking about the Chamber., Again, after the division bell has rung and the doors are locked, a member wishing to ask a question is not allowed to stand up, and further is not allowed to ask the question unless his head is covered.” : The speaker then detailed the amount, of work , entailed while at Parliament, and explained that the cost of Parliament was estimated at £1 per minute, 40 that every member who spoke for his permitted time, ■an hour, cost the country £66.

Mr Nash concluded his address by giving some instances of Members using- mixed metaphors, and unconsciously upsetting the dignity of tne House

Mr Nash -was thanked for his address by Miss Burrell on behalf of the Club.