SHOULD PARLIAMENT BE RATIONED OUT?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17878, 21 June 1926, Page 1

SHOULD PARLIAMENT BE RATIONED OUT?

BY SIX BAD. Since politicians will, no doubt, have in the House a lot to say, they should, 1 think, be rationed out. to just so many words a day. They surely arc a wordy team, that folk elect to represent them and their views on every theme, to demonstrate to Parliament. For oft a member will arise, with stories of injustice that bring well-feigned tears into his eyes, and Hansard's volumes soon grow fat. And then a Minister explains, the reason of the fancied ill, he soothes*the members with his strains, and Hansard then grows fatter still. Now'~think awhile. If each M.P., were but allowed one speech a day, and that one short, how swift he’d be to boil down what he had to say. The Speaker thus would stem the tide, of every would-be Cicerd. “ The honourable gent from Clyde, has only ten more words to go.” His task would sure be one of ease, for thus disturbers he would reach, “The member will keep silence please or else I'll fine him half a speech.”