THE LEGISLATIVE MAZE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1821, 6 August 1913, Page 6

THE LEGISLATIVE MAZE.

SETTING ; UP GUIDE-POSTS,

Tho rapid production of , legislation in New Zealand is fast creating a complicated maw through which only legnl experts can find: their way. Members of Parliament, or some of them at nil events, are, like ordinary laymen, moro or loss at sea when the statutes are under review. This was exemplified in tho House of Representatives yesterday, when tho Government's amendments to, the Stata advances legislation were, under discussion. Several members frankly confessed Hint they did not. know, what portions of the Hills wore old and what now, and asked that, in future when consolidating and amending Bills were before the llouso they should bo provided always with ail explanatory memorandum and analysis. The Prime Minister approved tho proposal (which has already been adopted in connection with a number of Bills laid before tlie House this session), and stated. further that 110 intended, in the case of future consolidating and amending Bills, to have tho new clauses and provisions printed in italics. 'This innovation, dio remarked, had been appreciated m thn caso of one of his Bills which was now before a committee. Mr. Russell said that this printing in italics was unnecessary, and would be costly. . Tho Prime Minister said that ho was not an expert in prmting, but ho would have tho matter looked into.