A BAREFOOTED M.P.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 262, 11 December 1909, Page 3

A BAREFOOTED M.P.

The Finnish Parliament possesses the unique distinction of having a member who refuses to wear boots or stockings. His name is Pckkole, the Finnish word for "paragraph" Hcncc the Uclsiiigfors papers always refer to him as ".Deputy Par." A peasant, accustomed to live in the depths of the country, it never occurred to Deputy Kir, when ho loft home to take up his Parliamentary dnlio-'. lliai. there was anything cccentvi" i;i -muis : barefooted. Jlis more sophUucatui neighbors, however, noted with horror, as he started out for Ilelsingfors, thai he had no boots. "Pekkole," thoy cried, ''you have torgotten your boots!" "Boots?" he asked, astonished. s, Mul I never wear them in summer." "But, really, in Parliament " began somebody. "I take it that Parliament meets in a house and that it will be properly warmed," was the reply. As it happens, there is a, snug curp-i j laid down in the Parliament House, nu-i Deputy Par felt quite contented, t n fortunately for his peace of mind ilie journalists spied his bare feet, and articles began to appear iu the Press.

Then warm-hearted Finnish ladie.- soni round hoots and socks for Deputv Pa r. The news' sped, and industrious matrons in the country set their needles clicking and packed off parcels of stocking Id Hclsingfors. Day after day boots and socks came pouring into the chancellery of the Parliament House, until the place bi'»«ni to look like a shop. The secretary at last declared that if something was not doiic in double-quick time Parliament would be drowned in a sea of boots and .socks 3)eputy Par was' implored to use some of the -presents. lie lirmly declined. Ah this happened, last session, When me members arrived for the present. se<-iui;. 'the great excitement was to see i! I Deputy Par had learnt to wear bonis. Not a bit of it! lie arrived, as ' rtnre. barefooted. "It is still quite warm," lie explained.