WHO GOES HOME?

Shannon News, 25 March 1924, Page 3

WHO GOES HOME?

QUAINT CUSTOMS SURVIVE AT

WESTMINSTER

Politicians may come and politicians may go, but the British Parlimcnt re mains as youthful and virile as in the faraway days when Abbot and Prior answered the summons to Westminster. Its still observes forms and ceremonies which had their birth when Knights of the rode, with escort of squire and page, to join in its deliberations The language of Parliment recalls the time when Norman-French was the tongue of Court and castle. Today the King’if assent, which transforms a Parliriientary Bill into the law of the land, is announced in words familiar to the earliest Edwards —“Le Roy le veult” and “Soiti fait comme il est-de-sire.”

‘‘WHO GOES HOME?”

If you should chance to be in Westminster when tihe Commons rise after their day’s labours, your ears would be assailed with the quaint cry: “Wna goes home?” shouted in stentorian tones in lobbies and coridors by strong, lunged messengers and' constables This is an echo of the pasj/ centuries, when the roads were haunts of footpads and cut-throats. Then, the cry brought together members whose homes lay in the same direction, so that they might walk together for mutual safety.

These are but a few of many customs' and traditions which have defied the hand of'Time, and which may be observed as carefully a thousand years hence as they are today.

There is probably no Chamber in England which has quite the same sacred, exclusive character as that in which the Commons hold their deliberations. Across the entrance to it runs a brass rod, known as “the bar,” raised about half an inch above the level of the floor. Over this line no foot must pass while the House is sitting, unless it be that of a member or one of the small number of officials. ■“CROSSING THE BAR.” Even a messenger, with a letter or telegram to deliver, may not put foot across the bar. He must hand his missive to some M.P. within reach; and thus it "passes from hand to hand to its destination.

It is, too, a grave breach of decorum for any legislator to pass between Speaker and a member addressing the House. The imaginary line that links Speaker and orator is almost as sacred as the “our itself. If a member is anxious to make sure of a seat for an important debate, there is only one way in which he can do it. He must be present at the prayers which open. each, day’s sitting; and, having thus qualified, he is entitled to place a card, bearing the printed words “At Prayers,” and* underneath, his signature, in the receptr acle provided for the purpose at me back o.f his chosen seat. The seat is then, his by indisputable right for the rest of the day. He may be absent from the House for as long as he likes; but on hbrreturn he is entitled to turn out anyone who has ; takeni advantage of his absence ta occupv that seat. THOSE HAT TRICKS!

There is no rule of Parliament so puzzling to the neophyte as that of the h£s. When he entters/.or. Jcayes the Chamber he must have an uncovered head, though ho mnv sit with hat on head as long as he will. When he addresses the House ho is equally uncovered; unless ho has occasion to speak while the bells are ringing for a division. At such time, if he wishes to address the oiiair om a point of order, he must do so seated and with his hat on.

It is a serious misdemeanour for one member to address or refer to another by name during debate, except when the House is in committee, when it is proper to address the chairman as “Mr—.” No doubt the punctilious courtesy which prescribes such foims o,f address as: “The Right Honourable” or "Honourable gentlemen, tne Member for —” adds to the dignity o the greatest legislative assembly in the world.