TOO MANY M.P.'S

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22173, 29 July 1935, Page 12

TOO MANY M.P.'S

Sir, —I think the time is opportune to revive the very important question of reducing very considerably the number of our Parliamentary representatives. Personally, I think if they were reduced by half the present number more expeditious and better work would be done in the House. What i» really wanted is a small number of our best men, broadminded enough to sink self-interest and work wholeheartedly in the interest of the whole Dominion. The general election is drawing near, and I think it would be a good plan to ask all the Parliamentary candidates if they would be prepared if elected to support a bill for a reduction, say, of 30 or 40 members. A great number of members are continually crying out for more help for the unemployed. Here is a grand chance for them to be of some real benefit to the unemployed. If 40 members could be dropped out a saving of at leant £IO,OOO a year would result, and this sum would be a useful addition to the unemployment fund. I should like to be allowed to say further that I think the time has arrived for electors to express their strong disapproval of the great waste of time indulged in by members travelling to and from Wellington each 'week during the sitting of the House. Most of them are only in their places two or three days in the week. It is high time they gave more of their time to the business of the country. W.O.G.