British House of Commons.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42790, 12 October 1905, Page 2

British House of Commons.

The “Daily Mirror ” thus earns up the state, of the British House of Commons at the close of the last session: “The ending of another session leaves the House of Commons lower in the nation’s estimation than ever.

As a business assembly, it is a fares. It used to be called a conveniens club for old gentlemen from the country. Something might be said for itj as a pleasant tea-shop (without payment) for ladies. As a machine for carrying on the business of the country, it is ridiculous as George Stephenson’s “ Rocket ” would be at* tached to ooe of the Grouse Trains to

j the North. The amount of;’ legislative w >rb I done this session is contemptible. The Government and the Opposition j have boih wasted time—the former i by reason of not knowing their own mind 8, the latter upon childish obstruction, feeble Votes of Censure, and so forth. As a consequence the House has not ! even performed fai hfully its du'y of looking after public expenditure. ; One night lately thirty millions of ' money were voted in an hour or two. It is little use to complain of Govern-

I meat Offices wasting money alter it I has.been wasted. They onght not to get money so easily to waste, ~ / The only way to improve Parliament is to reform it altogether. To begin with, pay members a small salary and their ’election expenses, and see that they attend to their duties. Make the House do a sensible day’s work from noon till six or seven o’clock, Abolish all antiquated rules I of procedure. \ Not until these preliminary steps ; are taken will the House of Commons

be any good as a watch dog of the national interests.” It will be seen that the payment of members is suggested—a system which is in operation in New Zealand, but another suggestion is one which might with advantage be adopted in both countries—the closing of sittings at a more reasonable hour than is the rulq at present.