VENTILATION OF HOUSE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10685, 3 September 1920, Page 5

VENTILATION OF HOUSE

COMPLAINT .BY PRIME MINISTER. "GREENHOUSFTO FREEZING . .-..CHAMBER.*' • ! During yesterday'-afternoon's' sitting of the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister called attention to "the very unsatisfactory ventilation of the chamber." During the afternoon, he said, the atmosp'here became particularly stuffy. (Hear, | hear.) Of I coiiree, the chamber was artificially heated, and sometimes it became uncomfortably' warm, and difficulty arose when one went out into the lobbies. If was like going from, a .greenhouse into a freezing chainbpr,'and .tbe-'con-. sequence was that quite a number of members were suffering from colds and eore throats, and some evon from lung troubles. ' . The Hon. E. P. Leo: Tha thormbmcter is not over 60 at present. Mr Massey said tliat he was not complaining of the heat. Ho rather liked it. It was going into the cold corridors that caused tho trouble. One hon. member suffering from congestion of the lungs put it down to that cause. He would'' bV' very glad if the Speaker, would give instructions to have tho conditions improved. The Speaker said that it was very difficult to regulate the ventilation of the chamber. He thought that the question wag one that should bo' put to th© Minister for Public Works. The ventilation of tho chamber was not yet completed. He hoped that when it was completed the conditions would be better. Mr Massey said that while Parliament was in session th© Speaker had control of the House. If ho got into touch with the Minister for Public Works, no doubt he would look into tho matter. The Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister for Public Health) eaid that something should undoubtedly be dono to remedy tho ventilation of the chamber. The Speaker agreed that somothing should be done. Mr Massey remarked that something should also be done to see to the state of affairs in the corridors. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) suggested that, in regard to such matters, the House Furnishing Committee should have power to sit and act during tho session. Dr Nowmaa. (Wellington East) said that sometimes an absolute cold bliz. zard came down over his end of tho House. Ho sometimes went to the other end. of tho House for warmth, but he was not very welcome thero. (Laughter.) A Labour member: Don't you got a warm reception? (Laughter.)