COMMITTEES

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1932, Page 2

COMMITTEES

SELECTION of members

SEVERAL COMPLAINTS MADE.

WELLINGTON, October 12

Further criticism of the institution of Parliament, levelled in this case at the limited powers possessed by Select Committees of the House, w ! as expressed by Mr H. G. R. Mason (Lab., Auckland Suburbs) to-day, when formal motions setting- up Committees were being the House of Representatives.

“We know that Parliament, comes in for a good deal of adverse criticism, much of .it ill-formed,” lie said, ’“but at the same time that does not excuse the House from making its proceedings real and effective.”

Mr Mason claimed that the present manner of setting uip Committees had not the value which the public were induced to think it had. The usefulness of the Committees was very largely determined by what was done by the Government in regard to the recommendations of Committees. Committees went very carefully into petitions, but members of the Cabinet, who did not even see the evidence which induced the recommendations, passed judgment often in ignorance of the relevant circumstances. Could it be urged that such procedure was wise or even honest? Petitioners should be made to understand the illusory nature of the procedure.

Mr Mason said the Committees did not always represent the relative strengths, of the Parties, and a few session** ago, when the Government Party had only a third of the membership of the House, Government members were in a majority on all Committees. Again it often happened that several Committees could not attend all meetings. He suggested that membership' should be reduced and that no member should serve on more than two Committees particularly as Wednesdays and Thursdays were the only convenient meeting days.

NOT OF A PARTY NATURE. “I don’t think it can be said that Committee proceedings partake of anything of a Party nature” said Mr Forbes in replying. “Regarding recommendations, the Government has to oonsider the question of finance. We made a return of Committee recommendations during a recent session and found that if we gave effect to all favourable recomrhendations we would need £1,500,000. I know members find real difficulty in attending all meetings, arid I suggest that the chairman should try to cut down, the length of the proceedings so that all members will be able to spare the time to remain throughout the sitting. If the size of Committees were reduced difficulty would probably be found in securing a quorum. That is why there are usually 'ten members on Committees. I suggest to members that they should not hear non-essential evidence which is often heard out of kindness of heart. Unless, Mr Mason can 'suggest an alternative to the present Committee system I think we will have to carry on with this method at least for this session.

DEFENCE COMMITTEE. “May I ask by what process those are selected,” said Mr A. M. Samuel (C., Thames), when the personnel of the Defence' Committee was submitted. “Regarding this particular Committee I have no personal feeling except to say that I think I am the senior military member in the House, but I have been left off the Committee this time although I was previously a member. lVlien I first came into the House I was asked on what Committees I would like to serve, but I am ledl to believe that nowadays even Ministers do not know wliat members 'are to be on their Committees. I believe the Whips do that. Mr W. E. Barnard (Lab., Napier) : The Whips have let you down. Mr Samuel: I have explained that there is nothing personal, and I am surprised at the hon. member’s ungenerous remark. He is not usually ungenerous, although he- is sometimes stupid. Mr Speaker ordered the withdrawal of the stupidity allegation. Mr Samuel: I will say he is sometimes a. little dull, and' this is one of the occasions when one notices on the Defence Committee members who have not .seen service, while members who were on service are not included. One wonders what is being done. I "am not suggesting that I am being penalised for anything I have done, hut possibly I am too sympathetic with returned soldiers.

Mr W. J. Jordan (Lab., Manukau) expressed surprise at the omission of such a. useful member 'as Mr Samuel. Mr Forbes said the personnel of the Committee was chosen as nearly as possible so as to allow members to dovetail tbeir meetings. However, when such a matter as the present was raised' he would like to see if he could get over the difficulty. AIR POLSON’S EXPERIENCE,

. “I wonder whether the question of svmjHthy does enter into the selection,” said M.r W. J. Poison (C., Stratford). “I can claim a- similar experience, to Mr Samuel in connexion with the Lands Committee. I had a clash with the Minister in connexion with the claims of the men, arid now find mvse I'’ 1 '’ off the Committee, not, I hope, in con.squence of that.” The responsible Minister said he had nothing to do with the selection. The names were put in front of him, and he naturally acquiesced. Rising to a point of order, Mr Forbes

denied that he had 'said members were not included in certain Committees because they were too sympathetic. Mr Poison: Didn’t you refer to the fact that giving effect to all the recommendations would cost £1,500,000?

Mr Forbes: I made reference to the length of the sittings and the difficulties of members attending all Committees of which they were members; but I do not intend to be misrepresented by the hon. member. Mr D. McDougall (C. Mataura), asked that Mr Samuel should replace him on the Defence Committee, and that was agreed to.

Mr Samuel expressed his thanks for the graceful act.

MINER,S LEFT OFF MINES COMMITTEE.

When the Mines Committee was under consideration, Mr R. Semple (Lab., Wellington East) said that four men who had been practical miners now had a seat in the House, but none had been included in. the Committee. He suggested that Mr Parry, who had previously been on the Committee, .should again be included. Mr Forbes said he would try to make that arrangement. Another complaint was made when the Agricultural Committee was under review.

“I have been left off the Committee, hut I do not object to that,” said Mr J. A. Macpherson (C., Oamaru). “However, there seems to be only about one agriculturist on the Committee, and I think more men who have given their lives to practical farming should be included.”

However, no steps were taken to revise the personnel.