FASHION AT WESTMINSTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12955, 26 August 1905, Page 5 (Supplement)

FASHION AT WESTMINSTER.

The days between Ascot and Henley are busy times for fashionable M.P.'s. Everybody is in town, and everybody wants tea on the terrace. The lobbies and corridors at Westminster are thronged with beautiful women and blushing damsels, who have for the moment quite elbowed out the serious lady with a mission. Immaculately cut grey frock-coats, surmounted with spotless " white" hats, have taken the place of the sober garb which legislators regards as the proper uniform for the people's representative. By-the-bye, it would be a kindness to members of Parliament to remind ladies that orders for admission to the ladies' gallery arc not to be had for the asking. Members have to put their names down at least a week ahead, and a ballot is taken, as there are always more applicants than seats. The fortunate members are duly notified by the Sergeant-at-Arms that they have been successful, and the officials are supplied with lists of their names. Armed with a card from the happy legislator the ladies, who are balloted in twos --so that one may look after the other— will be shown every consideration and courtesy, and escorted to the little space behind tho gridiron, where they can see without being seen.