THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 85, 8 October 1881, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Sin — As a member of the late Joint r.ibrary Committee, t wish to protest Against their action in trying to restrict the 1 USD' of the Parliamentary Library during the reoosa. I was not proscut at the mooting (IGth'Septembor) at which the restrictive resolution was passed, and i never heard of it t.H after the prorogation. It appears that at ihafc meeting a motion was made- 1 -" Thafthe L inombers of the General Assumbly who may be from time to time in Wellington during the recess shall be members of the Recess Joint Library Committee," but that the £ollowing amendment was put and carried without division — " That the Library during the reces3 be placed in the charge of the Hon. the Speakers, without a Heocss Committee, ant that the issue of books during the recess be restricted to members of tho G eneral Assembly, the officers of both Houses, viz — tho clerks, the clerk-assistants, ihe clerks of committees, aud the interpreters. ; the permanent undor-socretaries, and those officers of the Government to whom tho privileges of tha library are allowed during, the session." My obj»ct in writing loyb*u is to point out that this resolution was never reported to tlio House of Representatives, aud was, of course, never approved by it. No report of a Select Committee, purporting to determine who shall' have charge of the library during the recess, and tinder what conditions, should, unless approved "byTjbfch Houses, or, at all events, by tho House of Kepre : ectaMvis, have any forca or binding effect. I trust, therefore, that the Speakers will, undi*r tho circumstancea, disregard tho resolution and allow the usual public accoss to tho library during the recess. I would suggest that a memorial etating tho whole case, and preferring that request, be submitted to both Speakers. I feel confident that, if the question had been brought under the consideration of the House ot Representatives, a large majozity would havo been in favour of extending rather than ' estrioting, facilities for the use of the Parliamentary Library during the rooes3. I am, &0., W. GISBOBNB. 7th October. LWe cordially agree with tho suggestion of tho Hon. Mr. Gisborne, and hopo that it will bo acted upon. — Ed. E.P.j