N.Z. PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 May 1929, Page 6

N.Z. PARLIAMENT

SITTINGS AND SPEECHES.

(Per Presa Association.)

WELLINGTON, May 13. It is understood that the Select Committee o'f the House of Representatives which was • set up to consider amendments to the Standing Orders, is to recommend that the sitting hours shall be from 2.30 p.m. until 10.30 p.m., with an interval for dinner, on luesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays ; and from 10.30 a.m. t'o 5.30 p.m., with an interval for luncheon, on Fridays. The effect of the change, if it is adopted by the House, will be that the daily sittings will commence at the same hour as fixed at present, concluding at a reasonable hour in the, evening, and that the new arrangement for Fridays will enable Members, if they are so disposed, to leave that evening and spend the week-end in theitr constituencies. Committees of the House will be able to sit as usual in the mornings without inconvenience except on Fridays. As previously pointed out by the Prime Minister, the innovation would prolong the duration of the session. It is also reported that the Select Committee will recommend a restriction in the lime limit imposed on speeches —for instance one bf half-an-hour, instead of an hour, for those in the Address-in-Reply debate.