STRANGERS IN PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15383, 21 February 1912, Page 8

STRANGERS IN PARLIAMENT

o LADIES AMI THEIR JUTS. COMMENTS ON MEMBERS' SPEKCHKS. (Fnoit Ocn Own ComiEsi-ONnr.s-r.) WELLINGTON, February 20. Prior to the rommciK-emcnl of the noconfidence debate in the Mouse of Keprer.ontativcs to-day, Lhe Speaker made a statement in regard to the galleries awl the occupants thereof. It ha<l been brought to his notice, he said, that several of the ladies sitting behind members were in the haJiit of conversing and freely commenting on speeches delivered by members. If anything of the kind occurred again it vrouitl lie his duty to take steps to clear the galleries. Turning next to the. occupant* of the ladies' gallery proper, the Speaker requested them to removn their hats. I f they refused he would have to cense, issuing tickets. The Prime Minister complained that one Wellington member had applied for iA tickets. Mr Fisher: Why don't ynu name him? The Prime Minister: You mind your own busincf6. Mr Speaker : Members must observe tho rules in debate. The Prime Minister stated that a number of members were unable to get any tickets at all. He suggested that the 27 tickets available for the ladies' gallery should he allotted on each sitting day tii an cipial niimhor of members. At present some of the people of Wellington appeared to think that they had a monopoly of iJie galleries. Mr Speaker said the Wellington member who applied for 24 tickets did not got them, but only hifi share. The Prime .Minister urged that some system should lie agreed upon. The presence, of too many strangers made the at inosphe.ro. of the House very bad. 11 was desirable that something should be done. as they might be sitting there for three weeks or a month discussing matters of importance. The discussion ended without any decision having been arrived at.