OVER WORKED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 43, 31 July 1939, Page 4

OVER WORKED

MR A. G. HULTQUISrS PREDICAMENT ARREARS OF CORRESPONDENCE Just how busy Mr A. G. Hultquist M.P. is at present is shown by a letter to the BEACON in, which he asks correspondents who have not yet had a reply from him to have patience. Since the beginning of the session letters have been piling in at a faster rate than he can j>ossibly handle, and at present be has between 400 and 500 letters to which he must attend to himself, as, contrary to popular belief, a member does not have the aid of a typist. He ha? worked long hours since his recent indisposition which kept him in bed for a week, but despite that he has not been able to keep pace with hfs work and lie is dealing with the most urgenlt matters. During the session a member cannot concentrate solely on his correspondence as reports have to be studied, committee and caucus meetings attended, visitors interviewed or introduced to Ministers, and in addition he is expectcd to be in his place in the House while Parliament is in session. Speeches also require a good deal of preparation. One can well believe Mr Hultquist when he says 'that he arrives at the House at 8.3(7 and does not leave un til midnight and that sometimes in he decides that the best wt\v to catch up on his work is to work all nighi. On one occasion Mr Hultquist says he worked for two days and two nights at a stretch. This was probably when he was preparing for his election campaign and endeavouring to carry out his nor, tnal work at 'the same time. Mr Hultquist says that he is not eomolanining as the reply would be ''Well, you asked for it and now, vou're getting it!'' He offered his full time services, but what he seeks , is tliart the people should understand Uie size of his task, and thus excuse iny unavoidable dday in handling, "some liaatrters.