MIDNIGHT OIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 9

MIDNIGHT OIL.

PARLIAMENT'S LONG HOURS.

TALK OF THE CLOSURE.

BLAMING THE OPPOSITION,

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

The old, old story of Parliament and its midnight oil burning was heard in the House of Representatives again this afternoon, when the Leader of the Opposition moved to reduce the Legislative Department's estimate of £84,594 by £10 in order to indicate that the country's business should be conducted on more up-to-date and businesslike lines. . L

Mr. H. E. Holland, in moving his amendment, said that if the present system of sitting from '2.30 p.m. till all hours in the morning was put to the people of the country they would turn it down by an overwhelming majority. It was against the inclinations of human nature to work such hours. Legislation by exhaustion was a bad system. He suggested that the House should meet daily at 10 a.m., and rise automatically at 6 p.m. Or it might sit from 2.30 till 10.30 p.m. If it was objected that the former course could not be adopted, owing to pressure of work in select committees, then some arrangement could be come to whereby committees could sit on a day when members were not required in the House.

This sort of talk had been heard for 30 to 35 years, said the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates). However, he had never heard anyone suggest such short limits as 2.30 till 10.30 p.m. Mr. Holland: In Queensland they meet at 10 and ise at 6

Mr. V. H. Potter (Roskill): Look at the mess they are making of it! Mr. Coates said it was all very well for the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the National party to talk about more businesslike procedure. What the Government was concerned about was giving the utmost care and consideration to legislation and applying the best methods. Mr. Holland: Do you get that three and four o'clock in the morning? Mr. Coates: If an Opposition will persist in opposing a Government, and when feeling runs high, then the're is only one thing for it—exhaustion. "But the Opposition is always blamed!" cut in Mr. Holland. "What happens when the Opposition sits silent? When that happens, I have seen the Government Whip going round stirring up Reform members to speak!" Mr. Coates: Not at four in y the morning. There are times when subjects require a good deal of consideration. (Laughter). Nobody can say that we hurry things through. The big stick is never used. "Are you waiting for the country to turn the corner, before going to the country?" queried Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton). Wrapped Up in the Closure. Mr. Coates said the Standing Orders Revision Committee was in existence and it could make an overhaul of Standing Orders. In the past this committee had made recommendations from time to time, but nothing had been done.

Mr. McCombs: The Government could carry the suspension of the Standing Orders. The Prime Minister said it seemed to him that the closure was the thing, quite apart from minor alterations of the Standing Orders. The question of shortening the hours of the House was wrapped up in the closure. But were they best without it? That was the point. The Leader of the National party said a good deal would depend upon the Licensing Amendment Bill, to be introduced by the Prime Minister. The length of the present session would be influenced by that. "And the Prime Minister doesn't seem to have made up his mind," said Mr. Forbes. "If he has to make up his mind, who knows how long it will be!" (Laughter.) Mr. Forbes declared himself in favour of the closure. That the revision of Standing Orders should be undertaken during the recess was suggested by Mr. E. P. Lee (Oamaru). It would take a full week or ten days to make a thorough overhaul. He was in favour of the closure. The debate, which is reported in another column, was continued till 1.20, when the amendment was lost by 10 votes to 43.