FEWER MEMBERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 59, 10 March 1932, Page 10

FEWER MEMBERS.

ECONOMY MEASURE MOOTED.

SAVING IN EXPENDITURE.

SUPPORT FOR PROPOSAL,

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Support for the proposal, previously advanced, for a substantial reduction in the personnel of Parliament, was indicated by at least two speakers who participated in the Address-in-Reply debate, in the House yesterday. In the opinion of Mr. D. S. Reii (Coalition Reform, Raglan), the number of members of tho House should be reduced by half, as a practical economy measure. There was no reason, he contended, why 40 members should not conduct the country's business as efficiently as 80, and possibly a better administration would be achieved. Mr. Reid suggested also that the personnel of the Legislative Council should be reduced—he would not propose its abolition —and that no fresh appointments should be made, so that the number could be allowed to dwindle down to 12. The member favoured also a 12 months'"postponement of local body elections. "I think a reduction in the size of the House and of the Legislative Council would be a good plan," said Mr. H. M. Campbell (Coalition Reform, Hawke's Bay). "It would enable a good deal of time to be saved, it would be less costly, and it would simplify matters." Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier): How would the constituents get on? Mr. Campbell: They would be all right. I think a few energetic members could attend to their requirements just as well as a larger number do now.