INTEREST KEEN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18975, 27 March 1936, Page 5

INTEREST KEEN

OPENING OF SESSION ASSEMBLY IN CAPITAL HOUSE SPEECHES HEARD NEW BROADCAST SYSTEM (Parliamentary "Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. More than the usual amount of publii interest was taken in yesterday's open ing of Parliament and there were many curious people watching for the unconventional because a Labour Government had come into power. They were satisfied to only a moderate extent, but the toning off of decorations and dressing was due to the death of King George V, for no change was made in the general arrangements by those now administering the affairs of the Dominion. Possibly a couple of Legislative Councillors, who were dressed in lounge .suits instead of the conventional evening dress, were making public attestation of principle, but tho only departure from the regular programme of the session's opening was that the bachelor Prime. Minister, the Hon M. J. Savage, did not hold the very attractive and somewhat over-crowded afternoon tea and reception which usually graces the opening day, but there were numerous private entertainments and Mr. Speaker, the Hon. \V, K. Halliard, and his wife, were the host and hostess to a distinguished gathering of guests when the House hail completed its business. NOTABLE 1N NOVATION Ono notable innovation, however, was the. radio broadcasting of the whole proceedings commencing from the time the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, left Government, House until the House of Representatives adjourned' until Tuesday The large attendance of spectators in Parliament grounds was somewhat itis couraged by a grey day, though the usual Wellington wind was absent. Light rain was falling when the GovernorGeneral arrived, but this did not discourage the spectators who, for the first time in tho openings of Parliament, enjoyed the privilege of heaving, through a battery of loud speakers placed high up over the main steps, the Speech from the Throne by his Excellency in the Legislative Council. DESCRIPTION OF SCENE The radio broadcast over the four national stations included a general description of the scenes outside Palliameiit building, and interesting events in the Legislative Council leading up to the main feature, the Speech from the Throne. Then the official commentator, who had' brought journalistic experience to the microphone, followed the members of the House of Representatives when they left the Upper House for their own chamber, and from his place among the Parliamentary "hack benchers" took up the story, briefly explaining (he nature of the business and allowing three microphones suspended over the heads oi the legislators to provide the rest of (he broadcast. Telegrams of congratulation over the first-day's broadcast, of Parliament have been received from many parts of tin Dominion. In the lobbies, however, there is a growing feeling that the, innovation cannot lie managed equitably in> the political or personal sense, especially as Parliament is very sensitive about its privileges and will be hardly likely to adapt itself readily to the requirements of radio programme directors wlfo are looking for "entertainment value" all the time. LAUGHTER IN THE HOUSE PRIME MINISTER'S SLIP PROMPT RECOVERY MADE (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Laughter in which every member of the House joined, and which reverberated over the whole of New Zealand through the broadcasting system, echoed in the House of Representatives yesterday when the Prime Minister, tho Hon. M. J. Savage, forgot for the moment that he, and not the Rt. Hon. G. W Forbes, was the holder of that high office. The incident occurred when Mr. Forbes, as Leader of the Opposition, inquired from the Prime Minister what business it was proposed to take on Tuesday next when the House reassembles, and also what arrangements had been made for the Easter adjournment. Mr. Savage said that,''candidly, he could say that the Government had not made any definite arrangements in respect to Faster. At this stage what, had become a habit of years asserted itself for a moment, for Mr. Savage continued : "I could indicate to the Prime Minister." He got no further. The slip caused a roar of laughter, which continued for some time, and as it died down the Prime Minister caused further merriment by remarking: "I think, Mr. Speaker, 1 had better withdraw that." The members and tho people in the gallery and thousands listening to the broadcast of the proceedings were able to enjoy the humour of the situation and to realise how hard habit dies.