PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1936, Page 10

PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT

A RIGHT DEFENDED.

[PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, August 11

In the House, to-day, reporting on a petition which came before the Public Petitions A to L Committee, the chairman (Mr. Schramm) said the petitioner was really asking the committee to sit as a Court of Appeal, and while it was recognised all citizens of the country had the right to petition Parliament it became a question whether some petitions might not be classed as vexatious, especially when no further facts or evidence than was placed before the Court, was submitted to the committee. It became a question whether some petitions that were presented to the House, did not come within the category of being vexatious or frivolous.

Mr. Savage hoped the day would never come when that petitioner or any other would be prevented from approaching Parliament. It was a pretty dangerous principle that was suggested. He realised the difficulties that the Committee had, put there was still the argument, “Let the Commoner be heard.” 'The petitioner came to the Hoqsc when his legal right had been exhausted. It was only when his rights hud been exhausted in the Courts, that he came to the highest tribunal in the land, and however small his case might appear to be, he still had the right as a citizen of New Zealand to approach the House. He thought it was one of the biggest principles that was provided under the Constitution, and he would sooner put up with any sort of inconvenience than be a party to destroying that right. ' Mr. Schramm pointed out the petitioner had not exhausted his legal rights. 1 The Speaker said he would give careful consideration to the matter. The report was tabled.