End of Parliament

The U. S. Congress adjourns, Britain's Parliament is prorogued. When Congress' work is done, Congress can adjourn in five minutes. Proroguing Parliament is a lengthy and a solemn business. Last week putting an end to the 13-month session of Parliament (longest since the War) Lieut. General Sir William Pulteney, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, in black velvet, with lace on his cuffs and a sword at his side, walked from the House of Lords down the corridor to the House of Commons where the door was ceremoniously slammed in his face. Knocking three times with his Rod, he entered the House, bowed to the Speaker, to the Government party, to the Opposition party, and invited them to the Lords.

The Lords, though only six of them (besides the five royal commissioners) took the trouble to be present, were waiting in State. Then came the reading of the bills. Two periwigged clerks stood before the silk-robed Lord Chancellor, read out the name of each bill passed at this session of Parliament. After each item (regulation of motor traffic, working hours for barbers, etc. etc.) the first clerk bowed solemnly, the second boomed out "Le Roy le veult."*

Then came the Speech from the Throne, which according to custom was written by Prime Minister MacDonald, read by the Lord Chancellor Lord Sankey. His Majesty was made to express "profound satisfaction" with the results of the London Naval Conference,/- evacuation of the Rhineland, reparations settlement at The Hague. He concluded with earnest prayers and pious hopes--and Parliament was over.

King George was not present at the prorogation and neither was his Prime Minister. While the King Emperor waited near a telephone on the verandah of the Royal Yacht squadron at Cowes, looking at yacht races and waiting for news of the birth of a grandchild, Ramsay MacDonald was on his way to Oberammergau--first visit of a British Prime Minister to Germany since the war. It was Ramsay MacDonald's fourth Passion Play: 1890, 1900, 1910 all found him at Oberammergau.

*Antique French: "The King wishes it."

/-In Commons, withered Chancellor of the Exchequer Snowden caused a mild flurry day before prorogation with the news that King George had just signed the Naval Treaty.

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