SOLID WORK

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 22, 26 July 1920, Page 6

SOLID WORK

Parliament last -week exhibited an almost unprecedented avidity for work, the class of work which accomplishes substantial results. In the earlier days of the week all private members' Bills on the Order Paper were satisfactorily disposed of; and the Gaming Act Amendment Bill and other measures were put through Committee stages. On Friday, however, came the surprise. Without any discussion, the Gaming Act Amendment Bill passed its third reading; and the Judicature Act Amendment Bill, the Magistrates' Courts Bill, and the Arms Bill were read a second time, were, piloted through Committee, and wore read a third time with the slightest possible amount of speech-making. A clean sheet was thus made of the Order Paper, and, an hour before the dinner adjournment, the Prime Minister, exhibiting in some degree the surprised bearing of the master who finds that the E«nl of hia workers has m&cU it nece*s»ry to icarcb

out tasks to keep them going, offered fcr discussion Mr. Holland's motion and Ministerial answers to questions. The week's work is an evidence'of what can be accomplished. A large proportion of the Bpeech-making in is purely for electioneering purposes, and" is quite unnecessary to the successful framing and passing of legislation. If it is dispensed with time is saved, and probably the electors are none the less favourably disposed to members if they omit to " place on record " pages of opinions in Hansard for fireside perusal. The week's work is evidence, also, that the Opposition is not out to obstruct or delay work. There will be time enough for legitimate and helpful criticism when the Budget, Departmental reports, and other contentious measures which have 'been foreshadowed come down. The way is now quite clear for the Financial Statement on Tuesday, and even if the subsequent debate runs its average course, the industry of Mr. Massey atid his Ministerswill be taxed to keep the House supplied with legislation. It is obvious, for instance, that they will have little spare time to devote to deputations and affairs outside Parliament.