CHILDREN IN PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5728, 25 October 1905, Page 7

CHILDREN IN PARLIAMENT.

RESULT OP OUR COMPETITION. THE WINNING ESSAY. A large number of essays were received by the “Times” in response to our suggestion that those school-children who were recently privileged to witness the deliberations of the House of Representatives should send us their impressions. Tho winning essay, for which we offered a prize of ten shillings, has been adjudged as that written by Charles S. Warren, Standard VI., Mount Cook Boys’ School. In merit, however, this essay came second to that written by William A. Mills, aged twelve years, Standard Y., Newtown District High School; but this essay was debarred by reason of its exceeding the limit of three hundred words specified in the conditions. Its excellence, however, is such that we have given its writer a special prize of five shillings. We print both essays hereunder. Tomorrow wo will print some interesting selections from the big batch of unsuccessful compositions.

OUR LEGISLATURE AND ITS METHODS.

When tho Now Zealand Parliament is about to sit, the flag is hoisted. When the writer arrived in the building he noticed that tho Government party sat on one side, and the Opposition party sat on the other. As soon as tho mcmbem assemble tho bills that are to bo discussed for the day are read out by the “Speaker.” Many of tho members are very inattentive while different, bills are being discussed, wbilp some are absent. The writer thinks that the members of the House are too personal in talking to each other. When the “'Speaker” leaves the chair, the mace is taken from the table until his return, tho “Chairman of Committees” taking his place, but not occupying tho same chair.

Tho Premier is a very clear speaker, and, as leader of tho House, the writer thinks that ho is about the best man to hold the position. AVhen Mr Secldon is irritated ho speaks very quickly. Ho has done very many good acts in the service of his country. Though he is very unpopular with tho majority of the people of Now Zealand, ho has worked very hard for his position. Mr Massey, the leader of tho Opposition, speaks very quickly, but clearly, and with great force. Mr Hogg, the member for Masterton, speaks in tho accent of his countrymen. Tho writer would rather be a member of Parliament than a Premier, though ho receives a much larger salary. A Premier has to know how to spend the money of tho country properly, and he has also great anxiety. The Premier’s position is very trying when ho has to please the people of New’ Zealand. CHARLES S. WARREN. MY VISIT TO PARLIAMENT. I had often hoard my father and mother discussing politics at the table, and I bad wished I could go; for our teacher had cracked it up to us a great deal, and wo wore all eager to go when tho opportunity arrived. When tho day came, wo all assembled down at the House of Parliament, and went into the gallery; but wk found that tho seats were very bard : (fuit the members’ -seats, how inviting they looked 1 And

it was no wonder that some of them wont sleep during a dry speech. At last, when half the House -was asleep, more or loss, All- Seddon began to speak, and his tones begin to wake some of tho members, and they a.sk tho man next to them what the matter is; but there was nothing wrong. It was only a flash in the pan, and the slumbers are renewed. Tho men who do tho most work there uro tho reporters, who arc busy taking notes all the time; but I expect their real work comes when they iiavo to get their copy ready for the* printer. The messengers are kept going bringing and the correspondence of the member.". Vt non a member has made a speech, ho site down and begins to read a newspaper, instead of listening to another member’s reply. On the whole. It is rather a dull time for tho onlooker, for the &ea.ts am rather hard, and ho is not allowed to make a noise, for there is a sentry there who attends to such cases. If I had tho choice of being any member of Parliament, I think 1 would take tho place of Air Seddon, for he seoms to be boss of tho show*. Besides that, ho is nearly always opening some hall or bridge in different parts of tho colony. Ho can travel on business, which ho often does, and uso the telegraphs for nothing; that is nothing to him. Somebody has to pay for them; but he doesn’t care, why should ho? He’s worked and toiled hard enough for the privilege. WILLIAM A. MILLS.