The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)(about) |
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Friday 22 November 1929
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2 corrections, most recently by angrygoat - Show corrections
NO WIG OR GOWN.
NEW SPEAKER'S DECISION. Mace "Relic of Barbarism."
CANBERRA. Thursday – "Neither wig no gown will be worn by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Mr. Makin) during his term of office, nor will the mace appear on the table of the House.
In reply to a question by Mr. Thompson (N.S.W.) to-day, Mr. Makin said that he would find no intelligent reason why the mace should appear on the table. Accord- ing to the meagre records available, it was a relic of barbarism, and he saw no reason why anything which symbolised that class of society, or the methods of treating one another in the ordinary relationships should find any opportunity of display in the Chamber during his occupancy of the chair. The mace did not represent anything associated with the Crown, nor did it do anything towards asserting the authority of the Speaker. "I shall be quite capable"
of asserting that authority without the mace," said Mr. Makin. (Laughter.)
No instruction has yet been given about the wigs and gowns worn by the officials
of the House, and at the sitting to-day they wore them as usual.