THE UPPER HOUSE.

Waipa Post, Volume 37, Issue 2219, 9 October 1928, Page 5

THE UPPER HOUSE.

LETTERS TO‘THE EDITOR. ;

; Sir,—-Does anybody know what, the Legislative Council*.costs this country,, and what it is According to the Ye.ar Book there; lajre 41 members, wiho receive £315 perannum—a. saaries bill of about £13,0Q0. Add to t travelling expenses, the cost ox sta, , and attendant services, and .'the total cost of maintaining this concern mjusit easily be £25,000. then, What is it worth ?, It is. supposed to check and revise legislation from the Lower House. Well, in last Saturday’s papers I read: “ The Legislative Council! met at 2.30 p.m. . - • p’ 11 ** adjourned at 3.50 p.m.”—a total time of 80 minutes. Every session opens with prayers, and in what was left of those 80 minutes the Council passed without amendment Government Railways Amendment Bill, Electric Power Boards Amendment Bill, Summer-time Bill, and Auckland Transport Bill. All that in 80 minutes ! No “ goslow” therej, methinks! .When one considers the Summer-time Bill was mooted at the Reform caucus on Friday, and finally passed by the Upper House on Saturday, one must admit we have a pretty I'astwdorking Parliament t But, for pity’s sake, don’t be fooled by the.statement, after this, that the'Upper House revises land checks hasty, ill-considered legislation. Rather ask yourself is it worth the money spent on it, or putting it this* way, Wouldn’t that £25,000 per annum be better for the country if spent on the rloads or made available for rural advances ? Just think about it: it’s worth, a little thought.—l am, etc., TAXPAYER.