Reform overdue in Parliament—Mr Kirk

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32640, 23 June 1971, Page 2

Reform overdue in Parliament—Mr Kirk

(New Zealand Preet Association)

WELLINGTON, June 22.

Parliament spent most of its time amending or patching up previous legislation, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said in Wellington today.

Speaking to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, he said Parliament was long overdue for modernisation in its procedures, ideas and work output.

“In a country like ours, with a high level of Government involverrtent, it is important that the organ which controls the Government should be able to carry' out its functions sensibly and efficiently,” he said. Instead of meeting largely when the Prime Minister was ready, Parliament should have a prescribed opening date early in the year, said Mr Kirk. Its work should be regulated to spread its sitting time throughout the year. He envisaged a recess in early March for intensive work on bills already introduced, then an economic de-

bate before the Budget was brought down, followed by the Estimates.

“It would be better to have an economic debate in Parliament before the Budget is drawn up, than something like an inquest after it is brought down, when the whole debate is conditioned by what is in the Budget,” he said.

Urging reform of standing orders, Mr Kirk said time limits should be put on debates rather than on individual speakers. This would allow members with expert knowledge to speak longer, and it would restrain the effect of the present limit, which made every member fel obliged to speak for the maximum time.

He also proposed setting up a 10-member council or committee that would publicly hear protesters—citizens whp at present felt comparatively defenceless before authority—and report directly to Parliament. Parliament had reached a point where new legislation exceeded all reasonable volumes, said Mr Kirk.

"Last year Parliament dealt with 212 bills, a considerable amount of legislation that reached out to touch the lives and businesses of New Zealanders throughout the country. "Of the 212, 28 lapsed or were otherwise disposed of, and there were 153 bills, of which 130 were amendments to existing statutes. "Are we in the position of over-legislating, or of not revising laws thoroughly at the

time of amendment?” he asked.

“Early in March we had the Stabilisation of Remuneration Act. Bv the end of June, after the first test of this legislation, substantial amendments are 'being prepared.” He said advisory committees could propose amendments, and help reduce the huge amount of unnecessary legislation brought before Parliament.

“It is inevitable the volume of law will rise, and it is important all should think about the priorities of Parliamentary work. 1 “Important work is not being undertaken while trivia is pursued diligently by bureaucrats,” he said.