FATE OF PETITIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17224, 6 October 1927, Page 7

FATE OF PETITIONS.

COMMITTEES' RECOMMENDATIONS. CONSIDERATION BY CABINET. " NOT STEELY-HEARTED MEN." PRESS GALLERY, Wednesday. The fate of petitions favourably reported upon by Select Committees was the subject of some discussion in the House of Representatives to-day. Replying the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) said it was not possible for anyone in the House to decide the merits or demerits of any petition. The Select Committee certainly did and then reported back to the House. Without in any way un-der-estimating the value of the work done by committees he thought it could be said that in making its recommendation, a committee was concerned more by the distress of the petitioner than about the legal aspect. When all legal remedies had been exhausted, Parliament was appealed to as the final court, and it could be readily imagined what would happen if effect were given to every " favourable recommendation " made by committees who did not always recognise what pree'endent might be created. Mr Savage: Are they not to be taken seriously, then? The Prime Minister: "Do you suggest that Cabinet does not take petitions seriously?" He went on to explain that petitions were grouped, and considered by a committee of Cabinet, who obtained departmental reports and evidence, and finally reported back to Cabinet, which considered the whole merits of the case, the difficulties that might arise, and the desirability and effect of legislation. In nine cases out of ten the giving effect to such recommendations might be the cause of violating the laws of the coutry, and although Cabinet might be sympathetic and desirous of assisting, it had to exercise judgment in the matter. " I think I am safe in saying," added the Prime Minister, " that considerably more than 10 per cent, of the 'favourable ' recommendations have been given effect to. ... 1 don't think we are hard, steely-hearted men; we are just ordinary citizens of the country, and we are as anxious as any other men to assist a petitioner." He promised to consider Mr Wilford's suggestion that members concerned should be notified of the results of petitions.