A SMALLER PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23996, 20 June 1941, Page 9

A SMALLER PARLIAMENT

Sir, —Quite a number of letters have appeared recently suggesting that, with a view to economy, the number of members in the House of Representatives should be reduced. On the lace of it this may appear a desirable move, but actually tne dangers involved are likely to outweigh the savings to be made. if the number of members of Parliament was cut by 2i) to HO it might come about that in a House of 00, with the parties equally divided, half of the Government Party would be in the Cabinet. For years now, because of its power of patronage in the distribution of public money, the influence of the executive lias been increasing at an alarming rate. In order to make his position more secure, every .M.l', endeavours to obtain I'or his district all the public works grants in the way of schools, roads, bridges, etc., he possibly can. Thus the independence of the average M.P. fin either side is impaired by Cabinet's vital control of finance. To make an immediate saving, without really affecting the legislative machine, the Upper House should be abolished because, with so many members aged from 00 to 8(1 years, its usefulness practically negligible. Many countries in the world, including some Mritish coumfunities in Canada and Queensland, manage to get along with onlv one legislative chamber. (J. iM. Fowi.ds.