EXHAUSTING HOURS

Evening Star, Issue 19952, 23 August 1928, Page 11

EXHAUSTING HOURS

OLD PAOLMENTADY TOPIC SUGGESTIONS OF CLOSURE [Prom Otn: Parliamentary £{stouter.] WELLINGTON, August 22. The old story of Parliament and its midnight oil-burning was beard in the House of Representatives when the Leader of the Opposition moved to reduce tho Legislative Department’s estimate of £84,594 by £lO, in order to indicate that tho country’s business should be conducted on more up-to-date and businesslike lines. Mr Holland, moving his amendment, said that if the present system of sitting from 2.30 p.m. till all hours in the morning was put to the people they would turn it down by an overwhelming majority. It was against tho inclinations of human nature to work such hours. Legislation by exhaustion was a bad system. Ho suggested that tho House should meet daily at 10 a.m. and rise automatically at C p.m., or it might sit from 2.30 till 10.30 p.m. If it was objected that the former course could not bo adopted owing to pressur of work in select committees, then some arrangement could be come to whereby committees could sit on a day when members were not required in the House. This sort of talk had been heard for thirty to thirty-five years, said the Prime Minister. However, lie had never hoard anyone suggest such short limits as 2.30 till 10.30 p.m. Mr Holland: In Queensland they meet at 10 and rise at 6.

Mr Potter (Roskill): Look at the mess thay are making of it. Mr Coates said it was alt very well for the Leader of tho Opposition and the Leader of tho National Party to talk about more businesslike procedure. What tho Government was concerned about was giving the utmost care and consideration to tho legislation and applying the best methods. Mr Holland: Do you get that at 3 ami 4 o’clock in tho morning? Mr Coates; If an Opposition will persist in opposing a Government, and when feeling runs high, then there is only ono thing for it-^oshaustion. “ But the Opposition is always blamed,” cut in Mr Holland. “What happens when the Opposition sits silent? When that happens I have seen tho Government Whip going round stirring up Reform members to speak.” Mr Coates: Not at 4 in tho morning. Thcro are times when subjects require a good deal of consideration. (Laughter.) Nobody can say that we hurry 'things through. The' big stick is never used.

“ Are you waiting for the country to ! turn the corner ’ before going to tho election?” queried Mr M’Combs (Lyttelton). Tho Prime Minister referred to the possibility of overhauling the Standing Orders. It seemed to him that the closure was tho thing, but wero they best without it? That was tho point. Tho Leader of tho National Party said a good deal would depend upon tho Licensing Amendment Bill to bo introduced by the Prime Minister. Tho length of the present session would bo influenced by that. “ And tho Prime Minister doesn’t seem to have made' up his mind,” said Mr Forbes. “If he has to make up his mind, the Lord knows how long it will bo.” (Laughter.) Mr Forbes declared himself in favour of the closure. Mr Holland’s amendment was foredoomed to failure, but it served to ventilate an old grievance.