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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5015, 20 April 1877, Page 2

In view of the .approaching session of Parliament we desire to draw attention to the necessity of providing additional accommodation for the Press. The Press have been long suffering, and we think something should be done towards improving their condition in this respect. The reporters’ gallery is un-. usually small, there being scarcely sufficient’ room in it for those whose connection with the local Press renders their presence there ab-\ solutely necessary ; and there is therefore noj accommodation whatever for correspondents of interprovincial paners. During Irst session, which, it will be remembo.al, was unusually prolonged, the discomfort resulting from this insufficiency of accommodation was severely felt. We would also suggest that a room should be set apart as near as possible to the gallery, for the use of the Press exclusively. The duties of reporters engaged in Parliamentary reporting are very heavy,, more so than the great majority of people imagine. In giving full reports of the proceedings, too, as the New Zealand Times has always done, it is necessary to have relays of reporters, and hitherto there has been no place in which they could prepare their copy after taking notes of the speeches. We may state that there are rooms in close proximity to the gallery, so that it would be only necessary to cut a doorway to provide the Press with the accommodation which we ask, Whilst referring to' this want, we are bound to acknowledge the courtesy displayed by the Speaker, Sir William Pitzherbert, last session. When representations were made to him as to the insufficiency of accommodation, he at once did all in his power at the time to effect a remedy, notwithstanding that his time and attention were very much occupied in the House, and considerable improvement was made in the accommodation. We are therefore induced to believe that the request made now will receive consideration, and that the Press will be provided with facilities for discharging its important functions in providing the public with a record of the proceedings of Parliament. The interest in matters political has increased year by year, and the people watch narrowly the action of Parliament. It should therefore be unnecessary to point to the desirability of giving the Press—the medium through which such information is conveyed—all possible facilities for performing its work. \Ve trust that we may find when Parliament meets that our suggestions have borne fruit.