MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5370, 13 June 1878, Page 2

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —One o£ the great elements ever most intimately associated with democracy is the great latitude given for the freest and fullest discussion of all public questions. The Premier, since re-entering public life, and, at least, soma of his present colleagues, have ever been foremost in maintaining this democratic principle in connection with all our Parliamentary debates. It is, however, a wellknown fact that our Parliament virtually breaks up during the month of October, because of the daily increasing number of absent members compelled to return to their homes for the purpose of conducting the spring operations on their runs, farms, and any other branches of business in which they may be engaged, this being to all business men in every branch of industry by far the most important season of the year. On this point the Government were exceedingly considerate towards the close of the last session, and manifested very great anxiety to relieve members at the very earliest possible date from their senatorial duties. I will not say they were not influenced by any other motives than the convenience of members on that occasion, as they did not appear at all firm in their seats, and the protraction of the session might have proved exceedingly inconvenient to themselves. As a remedy against proroguing Parliament, with the business, as on that occasion, in a very unsatisfactory and unfinished state, and to give the fullest opportunity in tho future for the ample discussion of all public questions, the House and tho country were led to expect that Parliament would be called together at an earlier date than usual. Instead of which we are now led to understand that it will not meet before the end of July, or, which is more probable, the beginning or middle of August—the latest possible date consistent .with carrying on the public business in a regular manner, as the financial year for which appropriations are taken closes on the 30 th. June. Ido not say

that the Government have any special object or design in thus deferring the meeting of Parliament to so late a period, but I cannot but regard it as quite possible, the tables being novv turned, and themselves in office, that their opinions as to the desirableness of giving the fullest opportunity for discussion may be slightly changed, as protracted and exhaustive discussions are not always favorable to the greatest security on the Ministerial benches. Thus the middle of October may be looked forward to by them with an equal or even greater interest and anxiety than the satisfactory conduct of public business. lam aware it may be urged that the financial statement cannot be made earlier than towards tlm end of July, and that the Government policy is generally closely linked up with their financial proposals, and consequently little real progress cau be made iiu public business until after its delivery. Very true; but this year is an exception to that rule, their being the two great measures, viz., the franchise and representation,—each of which will undoubtedly occupy a considerable time in discussion, totally unconnected with the question of finance, and might have been most conveniently dealt with before that statement was made, I think the closing of the financial year on the 31st of March, and the meeting of Parliament by the end of April, is a question well worthy of consideration by all those who wish to see the business of the country properly conducted. Besides giving more time for deliberation,it would be a great convenience to a large number of our members. Their absence from home during the winter months would not be a source of nearly so much inconvenience to them as its running so far into the spring and early summer is at present. Ido not mean to say that from the Ist of August to the middle of October does not give sufficient time for the proper transaction of all our public business; yet it must not be forgotten that protracted discussions and the slow progress of public business is a constituent element in popular or representative institutions I am, &c., Q. Wellington, June 9.