WORK OF PARLIAMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 150, 28 June 1943, Page 4

WORK OF PARLIAMENT

Sir,- Recently I have spent some time listening to Parliament and have found it. very depressing. I am wondering whether it affects others in the same way. I wish it to be understood that I am not referring to any one party but rather to Parliament as a whole. Much time is given to biting, scathing and personal criticism, not only of those in the House, but also of those outside, and such terms as “blood-suckers,’’ “usurious,” etc., in reference to people outside Parliament are, to my mind, bad policy, especially in war-time. I do not think it is a crime to be extremely wealthy, either in land ot in any other kind of asset, and those people who sold their land to the Government after the last war, even at the exorbitant prices then ruling, were not “blood-suckers.” I thinK the fault lay with the Government, and that the sellers ot land were no more to blame than some of the rest of. the community at that time. It is not much use members of Parliament hurling criticism at their fellow-citizens, who are living in the country and complying with the law of the' land. If the law of the land provides that a man can hold as much land as he wishes —or as much wealth of any kind as he wishes —and if this procedure is bad for the community —and I think it is—then it is our laws which, need alteration. Our members of Parliament have the responsibility’ of conducting the biggest business in this country, and, as a board elected by the people themselves, would it not be just splendid if, in the conduct of their affairs, they could set an example in business methods to the rest of us who arc doing business of less importance? I think if this were done the public generally would be lifted both mo.'.illy and spiritually, whereas at the present time many people become, depressed even trying to listen. I believe every member of Parliament is trying to do his or her best for the community on the practical side, and we should all appreciate the facts. I think they should be paid higher salaries, sufficient at least to provide a decent living. I would appeal to our members of Parliament to lift us as a community by setting a good example in the administration of their business, thus helping us in the conduct of our own affairs.— l am, etc., DANIEL BRYANT.