OVER-GOVERNED?

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19156, 12 November 1927, Page 11

OVER-GOVERNED?

LAWS AND REGULATIONS. "I sometimes wonder if we are not over-regulated and over-governed by Parliament. Is it a striking commentary on human nature that such legis- j lation is necessary?" asked Mr J. E. Purchase in the course of a speech at the first annual dinner of the North Canterbury Headmasters' Association "I don't know the cure," he said, "but I cannot but express the hope that the future measures for tho welfare of the people will be made nonparty measures. . . .At the same time, however, it is never difficult to convince individual members of Par. liament that education is necessary for the safe development of the try." A tremendous number of enactments were passed, said Mr Furchase. They were banded to various branches of the Public Service- and required an enormous u.umber of regulations before they were put into effect. 'it tho other branches have the same number of regulations as those issued to us, the total number must be tremendous," said Mr Purchase, tarUaraant was now legislating in audi minute matters of everyday lue tnat the weight of its work was becoming too great. The only way out was to delegate some of Parliament s tunctions to local bodies. Such a move would relieve Parliament of trivial business. "But," said the speaker, •'members of Parliament go to '"* House with the highest ider.U. and we must pay a tribute to the .ivork they do in our behalf."