NOTES FROM THE GALLERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20042, 3 September 1920, Page 7

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY.

PARLIAMENT DAY BY DAY. DOINGS IN THE HOUSE. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, September 2.* ELECTIONEERING EXPENSES. ‘‘lt costs members of Parliament £3OO to get in,” said Mr Atmoro in analysing the receipts and expenditure of members, “and at the end of his term it probably costs him £3OO to get out.” Members appeared sympathetic, and Mr Atmore went on to say that though election expenses were limited to £2OO, orery member had to pay more. For oS > !l nple. there was motor-car hire. ‘‘That is illegal,” suggested a member. Mr Almore ventured to assert that there was not a member, except a very rich one, perhaps, who had all the cars lent him, that did not have to pay for cars or get someone to pay for him., “ I have never paid for oar hire in my life” said Mr M.’Comhs. Then all I can say.” rejoined Mr Alinorc, ‘‘is that Christchurch is a, hno place to electioneer in.” ‘‘ 'I-bat's not Christchurch, it’s Lyttelton,” said Mr Howard. Mr atmore accepted the correction. “ You can’t drive a car up the sido of a house,” said another Christchurch member. Mr Sullivan suggested that what Mr M. Combs saved on car biro he lost on alpenstocks and aeroplanes, SPEAKING AGAINST TIME. There is a rule in the House that the. orders oi the day, if not reached before the dinner adjournment at 5.30 pun., must be, proceeded with at 7.30 p.m. Anything not completed at 5.30 p.m. must be held over, and very frequently that may moan that Urn last has been heard of the topic concerned. Iho rule has proved very useful to some people, hut on occasions it can be very inconvenient. For instance, it appeared to-day that the annual report of the operations of the State coal mines would be talked out at 5.20 1 . u., there wore still a number of nienih> ;s who wished (o tell the Government how lo solve the problem of coal shortage, but it was Mr Lysnar (Gisborne) who managed to eaten the Speaker's eye. Members, or at least those who had already spoken, drew Ins attention to tho time, and pointed out that tho Prime Minister would have no time to reply to the debate. Air Lysnar made tho obvious retort, but then announced, heroically, that ho would only speak tor a few minutes. Air Howard’ (Christchurch South) was mom practical, for ho gave up altogether his attempt, to catch the eye of Sir Frederick Lang. As it was Mr Massey had only six minutes to reply to speeches which, had occupied about two. hours, but tho difficulty was overcome by the House agreeing to allow him to carry on at <•3O p.m. Realising what it must have meant to Mr Lysnar to speak for only four minutes on any topic, Air Massey thanked him feelingly. NOTICE TO STONEWALL. The unusual step of giving notice, to stonewall a Bill in certain circumstances was taken by Air Lysnar tonight. Ho was discussing the Civil List Bill, and was saying that he would move to increase tho Prime Alinistcr'a salary to £2500 a. year. Air Witty: " You can’t do that; you can only suggest it.” Air Lysnar: “Not cron in committee P” Air Poland (Ohinermiri): “No, but you can stonewall until they do what you want.” (Laughter.; Air Lysnar: “ \ cry well, then, I can promise that I’ll stonewall the Bill until they do what I want.” Members seemed to think there might ho some chance of success in this instance " ' ' " , " ' l ' A BADLY VENTILATED CHAMBER. Apparently everything in. Parliament is well ventilated (that Is to say in tho way of grievances) except the Chamber itself. Almost every day for the past few- weeks applications for leave of absence have been made for members who have become indisposed. To-day the Prime Alinistcr called tho attention of tho Speaker to tho inadequate ventilation of'the Chamber. Ho did not know tho reason for it, but in tho afternoons particularly the atmosphere became very stuffy. (Cries of “ Hear, hear.”) The Chamber was artificially heated, bub the passages leading to other I'.arts of tho building were • like a-freezing chamber He believed that it was the change of temperature which bad been responsible for the prevalence oi colds amongst members. The Speaker replied that it was a very difficult thing to regulate the temperature of (ho Chamber. Tho ventilation of tho Chamber was not yet completed, and it was finished it would’ bo a great: improvement. . A member: " Wo shall very soon be finished.” (Laughter.) FINANCIAL DEMANDS ON MEMBERS. When _ the Prime Aliuister was enumerating the _ financial demands on members of Parliament the Hon C. J. Parr suggested election expenses. ” Thai is a matter altogether apart,” said tho Prime Alinistcr. Mr Wilford; “ It, j a limited to £2OO anyway.” Tho Prime Aliuister: “It is supposed to ho limited to £2OO. T think tho loss we say about that the better.” Air Wilford appeared quite shocked at the suggestion that the supposition was cron different from the fact.