Comment From The Capital Transistors Relieve Boredom In House

Press, Volume C, Issue 29633, 2 October 1961, Page 10

Comment From The Capital Transistors Relieve Boredom In House

(From Our Ou>n Reporter)

WELLINGTON, October 1. The use of the pocket transistor radio’sets has extended to the House of Representatives. During recen* Wednesday afternoons and evenings, several members who appeared to be listening raptly to the debate of the mojnent could be observed to be wearing ear-plugs similar to those employed with a listening aid.

The aids were not required to hear the words of the opposing speakers, however. One fully-transistorised member admitted later that he was in close touch during the afternoon with a certain Rugby match. Another confessed that he had solved the problem of being in the House by enjoying a symphony concert. Many members believe the use of a radio-and-ear-plug combination in the House is infinitely preferable to the necessity of leaving the Chamber and listening to a broadcast in the privacy of their own rooms. Some find that they can keep in touch with proceedings in the Chamber while moving about

the corridors outside—a con: fortable alternative to hour>: long listening during the slot passage Of legislation. There seems to be no part bias in the use of transistor: Mr D. C. Seath (Governmen Waitomo) has used one in th House, so have Messrs H. L.. May (Opposition. Onslow and W. W. Freer (Oppositioi Mount Alberti.

Apparently the rules of th House have nothing coverin this modern development, is doubtful whether a transii tor set would be permitted i the public galleries, whet messengers still actively pr< vent the taking of notes, th exchanges of whispers, or th action of leaning over th guardrail to get a better vie' of members.

The possibility that the Speaker (Mr Algie) will be asked to give a ruling on the use of pocket radios by num • bers is an interesting one Although the Speaker may insist on orderly behaviour, he cannot lay it down that a quiet and well-behaved member must devote all his attention to the business of the House.

Legislation Mounting Although the past Parliamentary week has been one of solid progress, the Order Paper was no shorter at the end of it than at the beginning Six bills were passed—but 10 more measures made their appearance. Several of these, notably the Tenancy Amendment Bill, exhibited qualities which suggested that they would be assailed by the Opposition as vigorously as the I.C. and A. Amendment Bill, and for similar reasons. The Opposition is heavily committed to defend what it regards a* the rights of the low-wage elector. Five divisions were needed on Friday before the Tenancy Bill received even the formality of a first reading.

As it stands, the main Order Paper contains 53 bills—and these do not include the ones which are still being considered by committees. Some 26 measures require only the third reading before they can be removed, which means that next week should see a marked diminution in the list. Some new measures remain to be introduced, however—and as many as 10 could come forward during the next four working days. Bills on the list which could still be strongly opposed and add to the length of the session are the State Advances Corporation Amendment Bill • committee stage**, the Crimes Bill (all debatable stages), the Worker*’ Compensation Amendment Bill and the Parliamentary Commissioner tor Investigation* Bill (all stages). The Ombudsman measure i* likely to provide a fairly light-hearted but long debate, for the Opposition backbenchers have been working , the and Messrs Kirk, Faulkner, Connelly. King, Edwards, Blanch field and Douglas will have quite a bit to say about tine appointment.