DECISION RESTS WITH CABINET

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 168, 6 October 1927, Page 18

DECISION RESTS WITH CABINET

PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT ANSWER TO COMPLAINTS (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Members of Parliament frequently feel hurt—doubtless at the representations ol! their constituents on occasions—at the lack of consideration that is given by the Government; to petitions which come before the House for- hearing, and which are recommended to the Government for favourable treatment. The Prime Minister says in reply to a suggestion that petitioners are not treated as liberally as they might be that the Government and the Government alone must decide the merits ol! petitions, even after the petitions committees have recommended any particular course. Mr. Coates refuted a suggestion that less than 10 per cent, of those favourably reported upon received the consideration to which the committee thought they were entitled. Mr. M. J. Savage pessimistically •emarkecl that members had given up iope of having these recommendations arried out by the Government. The Prime Minister said that allough the committees fulfilled a useul work in reviewing the petition they isually viewed it in the light of the iistress of the petitioner rather than n the light of the law that was involved, or the legislation that might >e required to give effect to the re•ommendution. Anything might happen if effect were* given to every favurable recommendation. • Mr. Savage: Are they not taken seriously, then? Mr. Coates: Do you suggest that Cabinet does not take them seriously? Mr. Savage: I think your own words imply this. Mr. Coates: That is not the interpretation, though it is your opinion. It is a guess only to say that no more than 10 per cent, receive the consideration recommended. The Minister of Justice, the Hon. F. J. Rolleston, replying to Mr. Holland s suggestion that the work of committees was being rendered practically farcical, said that he would be sorry if the House thought that any action of the Government would have such an effect. The only solution appeared to be that the House must make up its mind that every favourable recommendation made by a committee must have the force of law. In that case, the Houss would have to accept the committee as infallible. Mr. Wtlford: How many of the recommendations have been given effect to? The Minister: I am not able to say, but no petition which comes forward with a favourable recommendation is dismissed, as some hon. members seem to think. The Minister added that the ultimate decision must of necessity remain with Cabinet, because it might involve not only the payment of money but also the establishing of a precedent which might be dangerous.