SIZE OF PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 225, 24 August 1931, Page 7

SIZE OF PARLIAMENT.

RESOLUTION BY DAIRY FARMERS. At the meeting of shareholders of the Cheltenham Co-operative Dairy Company, on Saturday, the question of the number of members of Parliament was briefly discussed. Mr C. Hausraann moved, and Mr C. W. Thevenard seconded, “that this meeting of the Cheltenham Dairy Coy. considers the time has arrived when the committee now appointed by Parliament to consider the economic condition of the country, should take into consideration the advisability of reducing the number of Parliamentary representatives.” Mr Hausmann remarked that a considerable body of public opinion had voiced the view that steps should be taken to reduce the cost of government by cutting down the number of representatives. Under the present system of Party Government it could not be expected that the Government would make the move —it could only be brought about by the voice of the people, and he considered it appropriate that the farming community should join in the movement.' There was no doubt about the fact that the country was over governed and the existing economic crisis offered an opportune time to advance the proposal. Mr J. H. Mason suggested that the pruning knife was not required as far as country representation was concerned and be had fears that as a result of any. reduction country representation would suffer. Mr Hausmann did not desire to raise the argument of town against country, but simply desired recognition of the principle that the 80 members in the House was too great a number for the needs of tho country. If anything were done with the proposal lie had no fears as to the representation being equitably made. The resolution was then carried unanimously. ‘