CONCERNING “HANSARD.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13890, 26 October 1905, Page 6

CONCERNING “HANSARD.”

Mr John Duthte’s suggestion for the abolition of “ Hansard,” on the ground that the extinction of that ponderous record would materially shorten the sittings of Parliament, inevitably recalls the legend of Satan reproving sin. Mr Dutbie himself, like the language of Bill Nye, is one of the most “ frequent and painful arid free ” speakers in the House, rind while, perhaps, it is more often than not & sense of political duty which brings Mm to his feet, hie present attitude is distinctly that of the immoderate drinker who supports prohibition. But, as a matter of fact, “ Hansard ” is a good ddal of a political farce, and, like the Legislative Council, it continues to exist moire as a- constitutional safeguard than as a utilitarian institution-. The confiding elector who regards it as a. record' of parliamentary pros codings is (hugging quite as fond a delusion to Ma soul- as is the optimistic member who pictures (his constituents sitting upon the post office steps, anxiously waiting for the report of Ms -Last speech. In -reality the publication- might fairly be regarded as blushing in its -pink cover for its own hypocrisies. The speeches, as they ultimately appear ‘iii its unattractive columns, hay© -been revised, amended and- vigorously sub-edited by members themselves, until they often bear only the faintest resemblance to what those gentlemen actually said. Knowing that the average reporter is only human, nobody would, of course, wish to deprive the members of the privilege of doctoring their speeches, but its existence removes “ Hansard ” to that sphere of usefulness which a certain' young. lady allotted to the dictionary — il a good l hook to look tilings up in.” The popular fallacy which, obtains, that people read “ Hansard,” is one which dies veiry hard. Arranged in a monotonous doublecolumned solidity of stolidity, ft would bo impossible to device any less attractive form of reading, and yet even the silent member for Selwyn, with the approach of the general elections,. has been stirred to chirrup mildly from hie remote corner, with a vague idea that he is addressing his constituents. The older parhamentarians falk to the,: Press gallery, and, frankly, the newspaper reports are generally a more intelligent reflection of the proceedings than it the official record. “ Hansard ” has its uses. It makes excellent shaving paper, for instance. But if Mr DuthLe wishes to place a chteck on tho undue verbosity of the Hons® lie will have to gag the Press. It is, tifteir all, the enterprise of the newspapers that presents the chief, temptation to the talkative members.