When the House Rises

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 335, 21 April 1928, Page 8

When the House Rises

MEMBERS IN RECREATION

How Parliamentarians Live

|N his pleasures, as in his administration, the New Zealand I politician is simply and undeniably human. Vv bile i u business of the country is being done in Parliament. The desires of members for recreation must be gratified am relief secured from the tedium of stonewall debates and long sittings of select committees.

XT is during tile three or four months which comprise the annual session of New Zealand Parliament that the constituent demands from his chosen representative in the -House a fulfilment of the rosy and attractive promises volunteered on the electioneering platform. It is during that period—when measures are hurried to the Statute Book in a night, held up by a persistent Opposition, or carefully shelved till a better reception is assured—that the member sets for

himself the task of earning at least some of the £450 which keeps the wolf from leaping at his door. But, just as the legislator works, so must he rest, and at times play. Moreover, his recreation must not be the solution of crossword puzzles, nor the discernment by acute concentration of the explanation of the fourth dimension. His brain should be as free of the cares of the State as is the mind of the child who plies spade and bucket in building castles on the seashore.

It is seldom so. He is too closely associated with his job to escape so The' entertainment of members does not necessarily involve periodical visits to Bellamy’s, the commissariat of the Legislature, which has adopted the title of the first caterer for the British House of Commons. Bellamy’s, contrary to an inexplicable but popular belief outside Parliament, does not exist solely for the satiation of members’ thirsts after dry debates. The best meal in the city may be procured there for the small consideration of Is 6d.

Alcoholic tastes are catered for, of j course, and in spite of the indication ] in favour of prohibition legislation given in the House last year, a per-1 iodical poll taken among members ot both Houses earlier in the same session recorded a safe margin of votes for the retention of liquor at Bellamy’s bar. In this establishment all the gastronomic requirements of j members are satisfied. . When their presence is not required in the Chamber —20 only of the SO seats must he filled to form a quorum members have priva.e lounges for ! their exclusive use: billiards, deck i tennis, and other modest digressions ! are available in the precincts, while writing and reading rooms are dotted about over the buildings. The Gen- ! eral Assembly library, too, is a popular rendezvous. TO SEE THE CUP i During important debates when divisions are likely, they must not leave the building without the consent of their party whips, but when things are dull and Hansard reporters are recording inconsequentialities for the edification of full galleries, members may go afield into the city, to Athletic Park, to witness a representative Rugby fixture, or even to Trentham to see the cup run. The winter meeting at Trentham coincides nicely with the Parliamentary session, and during these few days, an uninspiring order paper covers a multitude of turf joys and disappointments. At the week-ends, when the House rises for three clear days, those who have brought their motor-cars from their home districts cross the Rimutakas, visit the Manawatu, tour the marine drives, or spend a quiet time at some of the beautiful suburban bays. Others bring their golf clubs and improve the shining hour at Miramar and Heretaunga links when opportunity offers. Monday is regarded as an off-day, particularly in the afternoon, and even the Prime Minister with the Minister of Public Works, and the Minister of Justice finds a few moments for an exhilarating set of lawn tennis on the Parliamentary courts. All make a bid for the open air, for on the morrow the thick and oppressive atmosphere of the chamber will again envelope them. Others take leave of their party whips on the Friday evening and spend the week-end at their homes. HOW THEY LIVE How does the member live? That is easily explained. The arrangements are necessarily makeshift, and long before the middle of the year, board and lodgings are arranged handy to the buildings, so inconvenience is reduced to a minimum. As they have to keep two homes going, however, the modest lodginghouse is usually sufficient for the average and unfastidious member, the greater portion of whose time is directed toward the prudent transaction of the country’s business.