PEEPS IN PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2292, 28 October 1914, Page 2

PEEPS IN PARLIAMENT

THROUGH A WOMAN'S BYES. The audience that listened to Mrs. Snowden, who- lectured in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening, taking as her subject "Peeps into Parliament from a Woman's Eyes," listened to one of tho most delightful lectures that has been given in Wellington for a long time past. Mrs. Snowden has won the reputation of being one of the finest women speakers in Great Britain, and it was out of tho fullness of a very close ■ intimacy with Parliamentary life and procedure, gained through somo years of constant working with her husband, Mr. Philip Snowdon, that she gave vivid-glimpses of tho Mother of Parliaments and of some of tho men who are leading figures in the eyes of tho world outside. The Mayor presided, and was accompanied upon tho platform by the Mayoress, Mrs. A. E. Atkinson, Mrs. W. Evans,, and some of the prominent workers in the No-Licenso campaign. Mrs. Snowden, in _ beginning her lecture, said that had it not been for the fact that she was speaking to friends it would have been impossible to have turned her mind back to the Homeland, realising what was now in the hearts of the forty-six millions of people there, and of what was so greatly in the minds of those who were working at Westminster. The briefest possible sketch of the early foundation of the great pile of buildings was then given, and vivid word pictures painted of tho halls and Chambers' from which so much world history has issued. The House of Lords, she told her hearers, was the most dignified debating Chamber in the world. She had never heard anything more impeachably dignified—and dull The Chancellor in the House of Lords occupied a position similar to that of the Speaker in tho House of Commons, with the difference that while tho Speaker took no part in debates, expressed no views, tho Chancellor could spoak and could_ give utterance to his beliefs and opinions. As a matter of fact, the present House of Lords was comparatively new, two-thirds of tho present members, or their descendants, having been made Lords and having entered the Chamber within tho last hundred years.

From tho House of Lords, Mrs. Snowden passed on to tho House of Conimons, described the Chamber with it's various galleries, and the grille for tho women, as though it were a cage for lions, emphasising the fact that they were outside, Parliamentary life. To her mind it was a most foolish proceeding to separate men and \ women in this fashion and it seemed a pity that they should transport some of tho follies of tho Old World to this country—this in reference to tho fact that men and women visitors to tho Parliamentary Buildings in Wellington' occupied different galleries.

The House of Commons was very fairminded—it know neither class nor creed, and no matter how young or how micultivated, it gave its attention to tho man who had something to say and epoke with the voice of authority. Nicknames were given to seme of the members. Mr.. Lloyd, George was Irtiown as the uncrowned King' of Wnles; another was known as the member for India, and asking to be forgiven for introducing the personal note, Mrs. Snowden Raid that her husband was known"""as "The Incorruptible,""! a title she would sooner have,; used as it was by all sides in the House, than to be crowned\Queen of an Empire. -" ' There wae never bo sober a House as the present House of Commons. They could not make the diningroora pay, and out of 400 dinners that wore given only at seven were intoxicating liquors used.

To her mind Parliament and politics were not meant for people nor party. Politics meant the. application of high principles to the common concerns of daily life, and Parliamentary life in Britain was becoming greater because this conception was growing stronger among peoplo. It was not a game. It should 1)8 a religion. A very hearty vote of thanks- to tbo speaker'was proposed by Mrs. W. Evans, seconded b>; Mrs. A- R v Atkinson, and passed with acclamation.;

Miss Wilson, ,and Miss Morgan, daughter of tho Hon. W. Morgan, of Gisborne, are staying at Caulfiold House.

Tho second lecture by Miss Una Carter on "Quickly Prepared Breakfast Dishes an Entrees" is to be given in the Gas Company's lecture hall this afternoon at 3 o'clock.

Mrs. Clouston leaves for. England'nest week.

Mrs. Fulton is paying a brief ■ visit to Palmerston North.-

Mr. and Mrs. A'Deane (Takapau) are staying at the Empire Hotel. f

An attractive programme is beiiw arranged for the garden fete to be held on Saturday afternoon, at tlio residence of Mrs. Hayes, M'Donald Street, Karori, with the object of raising funds to provide a Christmas outing for the children of St. Marj's Home. Children (is well as grown-up people will- be heartily welcome, and special preparations are being made for tho entertainment of the little ones.

Mr. and Mrs. Graham Moffatt, of "Bunty Pulls the Strings," are staying at the Empire Hotel.

A largo number of "housewives" were filled ready for the troopers yesterday morning at the Town Hall by a. little band of workers consisting of Miss Williams, Lady Stout. Lady Ward, Miss Stout, Mrs. Tilly, and Mrs. Gamble. 10day 'parcels of clothing will be packed ready to send away.

At the Sacred Heart Church, Hast-' ings, on Monday morning, by the -Rev. Father Geogh, Mr. G. F. Shaw, son of Mrs Robert Shaw, of-Hastings, was married to Miss M. J. Irwin, of Victoria.

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Tlie dimensions to which the gramophone business has grown may bo judged from the fact that Caruso is receiving np less than £16,000 per annum by way of royalties on the fow records which he has made. 0

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