JUNIOR PARLIAMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 734, 6 August 1929, Page 16

JUNIOR PARLIAMENT

UNITED’S “MOCK” HOUSE “SESSION” OPENS The first session of the United Party’s Junior Parliament was opened in the Chamber of Commerce hall last evening, when “his Expellency,” Sir George Fowlds, delivered the Speech from the Throne, which was followed by an animated discussion by the “House” on the Address-in-Reply. For the purposes of the session it was assumed that the Government represented the present United administration and that the Opposition had been thrown out of office after 16 years of Government. These assumptions provided a fund for abundant humour, and frequent references to the £70,000,000 proposals were countered by allegations of 16 years of stagnation and departmental inefficiency. Many of the speeches were quite informative, touching the fringe of present political questions, but many of the “members” obviously did not take tlieir responsibilities to their constituents seriously. A little consternation showed in the face of “Mr. Speaker” when a member of whom he did not know the name, rose from the Opposition benches and announced solemnly that he was the new member for Paekakariki. Seeing that his contribution to the debate was an intelligent one, however, no exception was taken to his presence in the “chamber.” The debate continued for about two hours—the strict punctuality of Parliament having been shattered at the outset—and the House adjourned for two weeks. Later in the “session” it is intended that legislation introduced by the Ministry will be discussed. The public galleries were well filled by interested students of politics.