“Let the Commoner be Heard! ”

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 189, 12 August 1936, Page 4

“Let the Commoner be Heard! ”

WHEN IS A PETITION VEXATIOUS?

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. reporting on a petition which came jeforo the Public Petitions A to Committee of the House to-day, the chairman (Mr F. Schramm) said the petitioner was really asking the committee to sit as a Court of Appeal, and while it was recognised that all citizens of the country had tile right to petition Paria.ment, it became a question whether some petitions migut not be classed as vexatious, especially when no further facts or evidence than was placed before the Court was submitted lo the Committee. It became a ques lion whether some ot the petitions that were presented to the House did not come within the category of being vexatious or frivolous. „ He did uol say that was so in tho particular case before the Committee, but ho would .ike a ruling from the Speaker on the matter. j\tr Coates outlined the facts of the case, lie said the mau was seuteuced lo one. month’s imprisonment after the case was heard by a judge and jury. The petitioner thought the judgment of the Court was unfair. Mr Savago hoped the day would never come when a petitioner or any other would be prevented from appruaching Parliament, it was a dangerous principle that was suggested, lie realised the difficulties that the Committee had, but there was still the argument: "Let the commoner be heard.” Tho petitioner came to the House when his legal right had been exhausted. It was only when hi* rights had been exhausted m the Courts that lie came to the highest Tribunal iu the land, and however small his case might appear to be he still had a right as a citizen of New Zealand to approach the House. He thought it was une 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 that the petitioner had not exhausted his legal rights. The Speaker said he would give care fill consideration lo the matter, but pointed out that if the petitioner’s legal rights had not been exhausted the Committee should have brought down a different recommendation than that it had no recommendation to make. The report was tabled.