BAD AIR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1243, 27 September 1911, Page 4

BAD AIR.

COMPLAINTS IN PARLIAMENT. In tho House of Representatives yestorday, iir. Craigie, member for Timaru, asked the Primo Minister whether he would tako immediate steps to improve the ventilation of tho Chamber. It was bad enough to havo to sit there until two o'clock in the morning, but to sit there breathing foul air was simply poisoning their systems. One prominent member was at present laid up, a doctor had told him, as a result ol inhaling carbonic acid gas in that Chamber. (Hear, hear.) The Primo Minister said ho was as anxious as any member to have pure air in the House. On a former occasion orders had.been given that windows should bo opened, but members had complained that this led to their contracting colds. It was certainly desirable that the nressuro of people standing in the galleries and passages, for whom no seats were available, should bo relieved. It would be a good thing to confine the nuinlwr of tickets issued to the number ot seats available. Mr Alassey supported what had been said by tho member for Timaru. Thin session thero had been far more than tho usual amount of sickness, and it had not been confined to ordinary colds and influenza. Tho almospliero or the House, at times, as positively poisonous. Uo took the opportunity of asking what, was being done with the plans of the new Parliament Buildings.

The Prime. Minister stated that the. plans were before tho architect appointed to view them and make a recommendation. Tho architect had fallen ill after arriving her*. This had caused some slight delay, but he expected to have tho report of tho architect very shortly. Mr. M'Larcn suggested that the Chamher might be thoroughly ventilated during the supper adjournment. Mr. Ell urged that the number of chairs allotted to visitors on the lloor of tho Jrtouso should Iμ? strictly limited. Tho Prime Minister remarked that a better plan than that now followed in tho distribution of tickets would be to lot the limited number bo drawn for by members. Mr. J. Graham, Nelson, stared that at present ninny people in Wellington obtained visitors' tickets from tho lioginning to the end of Iho session, and treated them as sessional tickets. Country visitors were thus unfairly excluded. Mr. R...11. lthodcs recommended tlio Prime Minister to sock the advice of Professor Scott in regard to tho ventilation of the Chamber. Mr. Wilford suggested that tho orderlies at the doors should !>o instructed to inform ladies as they entered that they must not" speak while they were in tho House. lie believed, if his ndvico wcro adopted, they would have plenty of room. At tho suggestion of Hie Speaker, tlio Primo Minister moved Hint (ho wliojo question bo referred to tho Standing Orders Committee tor report, 4 This was agreed to.