MEMBERS’ PRIVILEGES

Southland Times, Issue 18936, 24 September 1920, Page 5

MEMBERS’ PRIVILEGES

CHEAP TELEGRAM?. i UNWELCOMED QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE, (Special to the Times * i WELLINGTON. September 23. ! Some disimTuialion on the, part of members to discuss (heir privileges in public was observable when telegrams were mentioned in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr J.. hi. 1,-jtf f Christchurch North i raised the question by asking (he Postmaster General why members, who were charged Sr! for 36 | words hy the Telegraph Office, had to pay ! hd tor :: second 36 words in the same teie- ! gram. Several members indicated by int-er- ! jc-'t’on their disapproval of the question. | The. ro.-t.mssier-Genersl (Mr Coates) i caked if the honourable member wonted the i rate mer-ased, “I hardly think it fair that j members’ telegrams should have missed the i general increase,’’ said Mr Coates. “I shall ; be pleased tei consider this if members deli ire mr to do ,-o I No membf rose to support an increase. I Later m the af-wr.cnn, Mr J. S. Dickson i (Parnell i complained that while members ! could, send 36 words for Rd, the persons to j whem they sen; reply paid telegrams were j allowed only twelve words. He suggested ■ that (lie per.-on receiving the reply paid • tdcgiam should be allowed 30 words. | Cries o; "No," "Leave it alone,” and "Not worth discussing,” came from several pmts of he House, and the Speaker called | loudly for ui tier. T hi- Po- tm.irter-Gcneral, after waiting ft few moments for a hearing, replied (hat he would look into the question.