WHERE BREEZES ARE UNKNOWN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12738, 6 September 1919, Page 10

WHERE BREEZES ARE UNKNOWN.

THE HOUSE ABOVE. IMPRESSIONS FROM THE GALLERY. (Written for tho “ Star."] Like the calm of a sheltered bay is the a tmosphere of the Legislative Council after tho cross-currents of party warfare in the House below. There is not as much rustling of papers for one thing- There is less whispering for another. The tide of legislation flows along serenely, and no ono appears to be particularly annoyed with anyone eke A soft light filters through frosted winnow panes on to tiers of double seats, heavily upholstered and adequately’ broad, on to polished desks holding squares of white blotting paper and the official documents of the. day, all neatly arranged as if they had been dressed up for a ceremonial parade. A couple of electric stoves burn brightly, am) soft-footed messengers occasionally sidle in through the folding doors. Business commences with tho announcement in a. deep, bass voice, each word uttered slowly and distinctly, “The Honourable the Speaker,” and, after that, prayers. ‘‘ And I also give notice —the leader of tho House rises from liis seat and, holding a stiff blue form at almost tho full length of his left arm, proceeds to read, sometimes swinging half round and placing his right hand on the ledge behind him. A big. square-built man is the Minister, with iron-grey hair, broad forehead, glasses slipping down over the bridge of his nose, . cleanshaven, with a firm mouth, across which a smile flits from time to time. Grave elderly gentlemen, the majority of them sombre dad and portly, listen attentively to a message from the Governor-General, and later some of them make reference to the death of a famous steals man. A North Canterbury legislator leans back m his comer, two fingers of his left hand pressed tightlv against his cheek, white cuffs and gold sleeve links gleaming. He rises and begs to second a motion, places his hands on the desk before him. and sneaks in measured tones, glancing in turn to all parts of the Chamber. All the time the •• Hansard ’ men are bending over their notebooks aud the hieroglyphics jumt> from their pens across the white page.' The speaker is the most picturesque figure m the Council. Tufts of white hair adorn the sides of his scalp, and a sharp-pointed beard his chin. ' Black Iqsdy fitting overall-like cloak with wide sleeves and a large expanse of white shirt front. All in contrast with his red-curtained_ background and his red plush armchair- He speaks scarcely auove a whisper, but clearly for all to at “The question is that the .petition he upon the table. . . Tho Aves havo it.” Youngest of the lot, a Dunedin member plays with his watch chain. Now "I. again he screws up his forehead, thinking no doubt of more stirring times to come when there will be critical audiences to face, and afterwards perhaps a spell in the wilderness- IVc.IL perhaps! ” . le game goes on until tea adjourn men t. when wo all sten along to Bellamy’s. ”We hi s Majesty’s Most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects, the Legislative Council of Now Zealand in Parliament assembled.”