PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7928, 11 October 1911, Page 9

PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT

(To tho Editor "N T .Z. Times.’’) Sir,—l take’the'.liberty of addressing: you, as I am anxious to put the position of petitioners to the House. A person petitions the House, and after consideration by the committee of the House, lias the petition “referred to the Executive for- favourable consideration.” Tho petitioner (as an ordinary inhabits nt of the Dominion) thinks that the Executive will give consideration to the recommendation of the committee of the House. What does tho petitioner find? Absolutely nothing to guide him. The petition might as well bo cast into the oilieial wastepaper basket. This position of affairs is disgraceful; derogatory to the honourable position of the committee of Hie House. It comes home to many that the vaunted cry of British justice is a parrot cry, and that gross injustice is done by the supine way members of tho House, who in committee havo favourably reported on a case, appear and speak in the House as supplicants. Just fancy, supplicants, instead of standing their ground and demanding consideration and decision in their 'recommendations ! Some members, in putting forward the cases they are conversant with, give a reader of the daily mess the opinion that the member is beseeching instead of demanding the rights his fellow members have bestowed upon the case. Time wasted in frivolous talk at the start of the session means anything but sober, just, and equitable legislation for all. There should be a standing committee of the House to see that during the duration of Parliament nil cases submitted and approved by the ■House were finally dealt with. I sincerely hone you will grant me the privilege of addressing your readers, as one outside the centre of control has no opportunity of drawing the attention of the influential section of the community by local appeal.—l am. etc., EOITETH-SESSXON PETITIONEE. .Wanganui- October 10th. ‘ •