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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 320, 21 February 1910, Page 4

LAZY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. Speaking in Auckland recently the At-torney-General said lie was rather surprised to find how little the public understands the true nature of the Native Lands Act, the Special Settlement Finance Act, the State Guaranteed Advances Act, and the Land Settlement Administration Act. The Eltham Argus does not share in Dr. Findlay's surprise; the lack of knowledge on the part of the public, says the Argus, is easily accounted for. We attribute it to the apathy or downright lazines's of the members of Parliament. It used to be a time-honored custom amongst members of Parliament after every session to address t'ue electors and give what was called "an account of their stewardship." At these meetings Parliamentary representatives' used to give an account of the principal legislation that had been passed, show the reasons for passing it, and outline its anticipated effects. These meetings were highly educational, for members could explain from the platform much more fully than newspapers could 'explain, and the questioning process at the close of the meeting nearly always elicited valuable information. It was mainly by virtue of their platform appearances that the Liberals scored tlieir victories in the early days of the Ballanee and Seddon Governments—for the great majority of newspapers were Opposition—and it was by

publicly expounding their policy that the Liberals were so successful at the 'polls for so many years. Where are the Liberals now? Why do they not meet the electors after every session—as they did in former days? Of course the same question applies to the Conservative side of the House. Members' of all shades of politics used to deem it an imperative duty to address their constituents after each session and explain the work of the session. The .s'ooner we get back to the old style the better it will be for all. Last session was one of the most important New Zealand has known, and yet not a solitary member of Parliament has thought it worth his while to address the electors'. Our members of Parliament must be getting lazy and require spurring. It is not sufficient that they should address the electors merely when their votes are being solicited.