PARLIAMENT “ GOES SLOW.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18547, 22 August 1928, Page 8

PARLIAMENT “ GOES SLOW.”

THE GOVERNMENT is not in any hurry to get on with its programme. The session so far has been one of the dullest on record, and no attempt is being made to liven it up. The whole of yesterday afternoon, for instance, was wasted on a futile discussion on the Forestry Department’s report, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that the discussion was dragged out to within reasonable distance of the 5.30 adjournment. The Minister was given an extension of time in which to make replies to non-existent criticisms, and when he was gravelled for lack of matter Mr Lysnar was put up to occupy the remaining time. One reason for this farce, no doubt, was that the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister were both scheduled to speak in the financial debate, and naturally they wanted to reserve their displays for the evening session and tile full galleries. But if this was the only excuse for yesterday’s exhibition it was surely paltry enough. There are two alternative explanations for the waste of time that lias occurred. One is that the Government has no programme of legislation ready for the House, and desires to do as little as possible tins session. The other is that the legislation contemplated is highly contentious, and the intention is to force it through Parliament at the end of the session in quick time, so that as little opportunity as possible will be given for discussion in the House or in the country. Both are probably right in part, but the Prime Minister is such a poor Parliamentary tactician that he will make a mess of his programme, whatever it is. In the circumstances, the wisest course would be to get the controversies finished as soon as possible, and then drag the session out to permit the contentious matter to be forgotten before the elections.