LESS DEBATE ON BILLS

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3506, 16 August 1934, Page 8

LESS DEBATE ON BILLS

REFO/RIM OF PAfRiLI AMENT ARY PROCEDURE.

A reform in Parliamentary procedure, to bring the method of transacting public business more into line with local body practice, is the basis of a proposal in connection with Avhicb a prominent member of the Legislative Council is expected shortly to make a practical move, says the Dominion. He feels that there is abundant justification for the common outside criticism that the Parliamentary machine in its present form, has long outlived its usefulness, and is an impediment to the businesslike dispatch of the Doniinion’s business.

He considered that an overhaul of the existing procedure, designed to shorten the time required for bringing forward the A r arious items of sessional business, Avould be a great advantage. His scheme would involve drastic curtailment of the opportunities for discussing a Bill. The tentative plan is that the main discussion should take place on the second reading, and that the recent development of initiating a debate on a measure as soon as it is introduced and before members have studied its contents should be eliminated. He does not dispute the value of the clause-by-clause consideration of Bills in Comlmdttee, but considers that any debate on the subsequent third reading should be restricted to consideration of amendments made in Committee. That suggestion is only one ctf many the member has in mind. A joint committee, representative of both Houses of the General Assembly, was recently set up in Victoria Avith the object of suggesting means for modernising Parliamentary procedure and adapting it to the needs of the times, and it is expected that a similar proposal will shortly be made in the Legislature Council of NeAv Zealand.