THE DOINGS OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8319, 28 July 1890, Page 3

THE DOINGS OF PARLIAMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The ways of the New Zealand Parliament are peculiar. One day we hear that no business was done because most of the members were at the races. Another day, us if to make up for lost time, they rush through the House a most important measure (the Factories and Shops Bill), and send it almost without discussion to a committee. The country cries out for retrenchment. The Government thereupon adds €'JO,OOO to defence estimates, and the Lower House makes all possible speed with a Bill, the first effect of which, if carried, will bo the appointment of a number of inspectors and medical authorities, with very arbitrary powers, and of course with salaries to be provided out of taxes paid in part by those over whom they are to tyrannise. It is constantly said that we want persons with capital to settle in this country. Our representatives are eager to pass a Bill which will discourage the use of capital to start fresh industries, and will make the carrying on of those already in existence anything but pleasant for employers. Why should people with capital come here, where capital is so cordially hated, and where there is a persistent endeavour to devise fresh means for harrying its possessors, and making their position unbearable? It is not, howeve'', the thought of the capitalists which leads me to address you ; they can refrain from investing their money in this country. But what will then become of those who in their blindness are cutting their own throats, or suffering others to cut them under the guise of friendship? This is certainly not, as you have put it, " enlightened selfishness." That employment should cease, or largely fail, can be no blessing to those needing employment, yet this is the result to be reasonably expected from this most mischievous system of State meddling, and from the particular instance now under consideration. If wo allow this thing to proceed, the reward of our own hands will be given us, and we shall have to reap as we have sown, just as at present wo aro reaping, every one of us, every day, tho evil harvest of the sowing into which the nation allowed itself to be beguiled by Sir Julius Vogel. Legislation of this kind always bears hardest upon the weakest, and one effect of the Bill now before the House, whether intentional or not, would be to make the employment of women so undesirable from an employer's point of view as to increase the difficulties already existing in the way of those who have to earn their own living. It has been well said that " you may send political economy, and common sense with it, on a voyage to Jupiter, but when they come back, as they are sure to do sooner or later, with a heavy bill for travelling ex [>enses, it will not be the rich, but the poor, who will have to pay the greater part of that bill." rom the account in your columns it appears that the proposed measure includes a Shop Hours Bill, by which all shops are to close at such an hour as shall seem good, not to those who keep them, but to other people, to our lawgivers at Wellington. It is said also that this Factories and Shops Bill is in part the outcome ot the inquiry conducted by the Sweating Commission, that Commission which had almost to beg for witnesses, yet was unable to find anything to justify its own existence, but which seems likely to cost the nation very dear. Can we afford it ?—I am, &c. Mary Steadman Aldis. July 24th, 1890.