LOBBY LOITERERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10604, 5 November 1910, Page 2

LOBBY LOITERERS.

MEMBERS AND THEIR PRIVACY. COMPLAINTS IN PARLIAMENT. By Telegraph. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, November 4. - Die. frequency with which "strangers'' are allowed to pass through'the lobby of Parliament House while-.the' House is sitting was complained of today by Mr G. W. Russell, who informed' the House that on the pfeceding;eyen-' ing he "with others had been an unwill-ing-spectator of a most regrettable occurrence arising from the' Members, he said, frequently took their friends through the lobby, but v these persons sometimes did not realise that they were permitted merely to pass through, and posted themselves in positions which made for objectionable .occurrences. I Mr Speaker said, that he had had no idea that strangers were permitted to go into the lobby while the House was sitting, but it was the practice for members to take constituents through the lobby to rooms assigned for the purpose.' He would give instructions that no stranger should be allowed to to remain in tho lobby. Mr Davey: There is no place to take a constituent to.

Mr Massey suggested that some improvement might bo made by providing a waiting-room where members might take their constituents. There was no such place now. Mr Massey added that he agreed with what Mr Russell had said.The Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. M'Kcnzie) suggested that members should realise the temporary nature of tho accommodation and use the wait-ing-rooms in the old building. He much preferred the present house to the old "one. . Mr Herdman: Will the Prime Minister tell us when the Government will proceed with the erection of the new Parliament building ? Sir Joseph Ward: I hope to ho able to get authority this session for call'.ing tenders for tho new Parliament ,-buildingi. ■ ~, Mr Massey: Let it stand over until after next election. Sir Joseph Ward: Wo do not believe in procrastination. You are too slow. Mr Massey: I would have had it up long ago on the old site. , " Sir Joseph Ward: Well, we are not . gqing back there; that is a decision or the House.