PRIVATE MEMBERS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14758, 30 August 1913, Page 6

PRIVATE MEMBERS.

PLEAS FOR CONSIDERATION. "AN EXPENSIVE GAME." (BPECI.U. TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, August 29. Private members seized the opportunity to-day, when the Estimates for tho upkeep of the House of Representatives were being tuscussed, to enter numerous appeals for greater privileges being granted to them as private members. Mr Witty was one of tho first to desire an improvement in the lot of the private member by condemning tho bad ventilation which obtained in the chamber. He was followed by a number of members who desired redress on some particular point.

Mr Brown had a grievance because only one brand of whisky was stocked by Bellamy's. Mr C. Parata, speaking in the nativo tongue (largely for the entertainment of tho Parliamentary visitors from oversea) urged that Bellamy's should provide greater conveniences for the ladies, who "like flowers of tho sea" so-brightened the dull life of man. Mr Ell represented that southern members wero at a disadvantage compared with northern members, in that they had to pay their passages to Wellington when on business during the recess, whilst northern members could use their railway passes. A series of more serious requests, however, came'from Mr Veitch. Speaking, as a private member of limited m".i!is. he pointed out the disabilities wh'ch attended such a member In .the discharge of his duties as compared with Minister. In the ca*e of communications upon public business the Minister could send telegrams and postal packages without charge, while for th''se private members had to pay many times. Ho himself had had to disburse oven over 10s a week. Then there was the .disability of attending to their own correspondence. Ministers had secretaries and typistrs provided for them, but if ' private members wanted this facility, they had to combine among themselves and employ li~ shorthand typist. Ho had been ono nmonerst a group who had done that, but he found ttinfc ho was not in a position to continue this -pnyment. He thought it would be a fair thing for Ministers to extend to private members facilities that tl»?v had thf-rnEolvs. He had already annronchorl tho Post-mrtptor-Genernl with regard to greater privilefffs for private members, and had boon greatly disappointed with his nfctfhido. He could see no reason, why these extra facilities should not be given, nnd tho members enabled to carry out their duties with I greater rase. Mr Veitch conclude?] by statingthat in Amerca great facilities fpprn fnvon -nrivatp members, and New Zealand should }\cr *-er>uta-Hori •>? bH-ng a and domocrat'C eountrv. by extending favours in this direction.