FIXED HOURS PROPOSED FOR PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18548, 23 August 1928, Page 6

FIXED HOURS PROPOSED FOR PARLIAMENT.

CLOSURE SUGGESTED TO SHORTEN DEBATES.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, August 22.

The old story* of Parliament and its midnight oil burning was heard in the Ilousfe of Representatives when the Leader of the Opposition moved to reduce the Legislative Department’s estimate of £84,594 by £lO in order to indicate that the country’s business should be concentrated on more up-to-date and businesslike lines. Mr Holland, moving his amendment, said U

if the present system of sitting from 2.30 p.m. till all hpurs in the morning was put to the people they would turn it down by an overwhelming majority. It was against the inclinations of human nature to work such hours. Legislation by exhaustion was a bad system. He suggested that the House should meet daily at 10 am. and rise automatically at 6 p.m., or it might sit

from 2.30 p.m. till 10.30 p.m. If it was objected that the former course could not be adopted owing to pressure of work in select committees then soipe arrangement could be come to by which committees could sit on a day when members were not required in the House.

The Prime Minister said this sort of talk had been heard for thirty to thirty-five years. However, he had never heard anyone suggest such short limits as 2.30 till 10.30 p.m. Mr Holland: In Queensland they meet at 10 and rise at 6.

Mr Potter (Roskill): Look at the mess they are making of it.

Mr Coates said it was all very well for the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the National Party to talk about more businesslike procedure. What the Government was concerned about was giving the utmost care and consideration to legislation and applying the best methods. Mr Holland: Do you get that at 3 and 4 o’clock in the morning? Mr Coates: If an Opposition will persist in opposing a Government, and when feeling runs high, there is only one thing for it—exhaustion.

“But the Opposition is always blamed,” said Mr Holland. “What happens when the Opposition sits silent? When that happens I have seen the Government whip going round stirring up Reform members to speak. Mr Coates: Not at four in the morning. There are times when subjects require a good deal of consideration (Laughter). Nobody can say that we hurry things through. The big stick is never bsed.

“Are you waiting for the country to ‘turn the corner’ before going to the election?” queried Mr M’Combs (Lyttelton ).

The Prime Minister referred to the possibility of overhauling the Standing Orders. It seemed to him that the closure was the thing, but were they best without it? That was the point. Mr Forbes, Leader of the National Party said a good deal would depend upon the Licensing Bill to be introduced by the Prime Minister. The length of the present session would be influenced by that. “And the Prime Minister doesn’t seem to have made up his mind,” said Mr Foibes. “If he has to make up his mind Lord knows how long it will be.” (Laughter). Mr Forbes declared himself in favour of the closure.

Mr Holland’s amendment was foredoomed to failure, but it served to ventilate an old grievance.