NEW COMMONERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21067, 29 December 1931, Page 8

NEW COMMONERS.

TAKING OF THE OATH. LADY ASTOR'S CRIMSON COAT. A total of 492 out of the 615 members of the new British House of Commons signed the roll in the. House of Commons and took tho oath on one day. Mr. Baldwin was the, first member to sign directly the Speaker came back from the House of Lords with tho King's approval of his re-election to the Chair. Quite a number of members chose to affirm with upraised hand rather than swear on the Testament and "kiss the Book," one of these being the Duchess of Atholl, the first woman to sign the roll. Mr. Baldwin carefully opened the Testament and firmly kissed its pages where they meet in the middle. Most M.IVs were satisfied with the slightest touch on the leather cover. The first Jew to affirm with his silk hat on was Mr. A. M. Samuel. The Chamber was so full, says the Daily Herald, that many members had to squat on the steps of the gangways, or squeeze into benches that gave them unusual company. Sir Henry Page-Croft sal for an hour almost entirely on the knees of Mr. Maxton and Mr. Kirkwood and that stern individualist, Mr. Austin llopkinson, had Mr. Tinker and other • good Labour men for his very close benchmates. There was. at least one bright spot. Lady As tor turned up in a crimson coat with fox collar, brown hat and brown stockings, and was as good company as ever to all members within reach of her voice or touch. Ministers took the oath first, Conservatives cheering the initial half-dozen. Sir Austen Chamberlain followed Mr. Baldwin and his brother Neville, came next. Then came the Opposition front bench, headed by Mr. Lansburv.