DIVERSION IN HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19119, 10 September 1925, Page 12

DIVERSION IN HOUSE.

COMPLAINT BY MR. EDIE.

MARBLE NOT APPRECIATED.

" DEATH TRAP" IN VESTIBULE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL REPORTER.] "WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

The member for Clutha, Mr. John Edie, whose naiveto often amuses the House of Representatives, excelled himself to-day when for a few minutes he had the House rocking with laughter. The Primo Minister and the Speaker were both involved in the incident which concerned the marble pavement in the vestibule of Parliament House.

Mr. Edie asked for permission to ask an urgent question, without previous notice, of the Minister for Public Works, Hon. J. G. Coates. Permission having been granted the member drew attention to the treacherous nature of the uncarpeted portion of the main vestibule which lay adjacent to both the billiard room and the post office. "It is a death trap," said Mr. Edie, and a ripple of laughter echoed through the chamber. " A straightout death trap," ho repeated. "If ft were a rubber floor it would be all right." He put in an earnest word for the necessary piece of carpet that would minimise the risk to life and limb of members. He had tripped over the edge of the carpet at the edge of the pavement, he said, and the experience was such that there was no telling what ] might be the result of a repetition of such an accident. "I don't think the question should have been directed to mo at all, but to Mr. Speaker," said Mr. Coates. "As Minister for Public Works I am merely the workman and not the director of ceremonies. Still, I think it would ho an awful shame for that beautifnl marble to be covered up."

A Voice: A death trap. Mr. Coates: I should not call it that, but I should not like any hon. member to meet his death through such an unsatisfactory state of affairs.

Mr. Edie, who was looking rather curiously at the Prime Minister, suddenly rose and in a particularly high-pitched voice, claimed a point of order. He explained that it looked as if he was being treated as a " joke." This he had not anticipated when he put his question on the serious subject it undoubtedly was. If the Minister had slipped on the offending mat as he had done he would have appreciated the position more fully. The Primo Minister, with profound seriousness, said that nothing had been further from his mind than to ridicule the honourable member for Clutha. " I will certainly consult Mr. Speaker," he remarked, " and see if a better path—l hardly knoiv what to call it—well I will say a. safer means of transit by foot can be provided for the hon. member."