MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND VOUCHERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11635, 12 August 1905, Page 4

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND VOUCHERS.

The point was made by Mr Taylor during the debate on the Estimates last night that members of Parliament were practically the auditors of public expenditure, and he urged that they ought to have the right to see all vouchers, instead of being absolutely refused all information. This subject has previously been referred to by other members of the New Liberal Party, including Mr Laurenson, who has noticed with admiration, not unmixed with envy, that members of Eoad Boards examine personally vouchers for payments before they pass the accounts, and he sees no reason why members of Parliament should be debarred from that privilege. The New Liberal Party, in fact, has determined that after this "every voucher shall be laid on the table of Parliament." Com-

menting on this latest "administrative reform," the Christchurch Press says: This is a large order, which we fancy it will not be physically possible to carry out. Even the fiat of the New Liberal Party will hardly suffice to remove the limitations of matter as regards time and space. So far from the "table" of the House being sufficient to accommodate all the vouchers which pass through the Government offices, we doubt if even the floor of the Assembly would be sufficient. Members would probably find it difficult to reach their seats through the deluge of documents. If they attempt to exercise that Road Board supervision over the acconnts for which Mr Laurenson pines, it would leave them no leisure for the duties ordinarily associated with the office of a legislator. Certainly the New Liberals would not be able to go careering about the country as they are doing at the present time. Whether it would be better for the country* that members ahould occupy themselves with vouchers, and leave law-making alone, is open to discussion. But they certainly could not do both.