"SIMPLY MARKING TIME.”

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1922, Page 4

"SIMPLY MARKING TIME.”

When Mr. T. K. Sidey stated in the House on Tuesday that Parliament had been in session for nine weeks and had practically passed no Bill of importance except the Land Tax Bill, adding that ‘•they were simply marking time,” he expressed what the majority of thoughtful citizens have been thinking of late. That a most unjustifiable waste of time and money is going on as the of futile discussions and no confidence motions cannot be denied. As Leader of the House. Mr. Massey must shoulder the responsibility for the conduct of the country’s business, though all parties in the House must participate in the blame. This is the final session of the present Parliament and must necessarily be restricted in duration on account of members having to attend to electioneering business. Instead, however, of the House being kept busy in considering proposed legislation, the financial debate is still proceeding. The Hon. G. J. Anderson ridiculed the idea of the Government having no Bills ready, but as these Bills are not in evidence there is some excuse for Mr. Sidey’s belief that they are not ready for presentation. At all events it seems as if nearly the whole of this session’s legislation will be so late in receiving the attention of the House that it will have to be rushed through without being properly considered, and possibly made law by the process of exhaustion. Members should face the real business of Parliament and put an end to the deplorable waste that is now going on. The Opposition —both Liberal and Labor —have certainly given the Premier an excuse for delaying the real work of the House by their tactics and verbosity qver'trifles. The business of members is to promote the welfare of the country, and it is time they realised that they are doing exactly the opposite —simply marking time.