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Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2956, 6 August 1878, Page 2

The session of Parliament now on has been looked forward to with more than ordinary interest by all sections of politicians for the institution of reforms of abuses in every direction, but up to the present time it has been characterised by no attempt at reform, or else we have failed to discover it; and notwithstanding the prognostications of some political prophets of a short session, we cannot see any indication of such a result. There is one feature in Parliamentary procedure we fail to see the utility of, and that is the adjournment of the House from Friday until Tuesday in each week. It may be an imitation of the established usage of older legislatures, and perhaps is a necessity, as giving time to members to recuperate their energies for the four sitting days following. But it has been repeatedly argued that our New Zealand' Par--lia-nents are gradually lengthening their sittings, and that the business might be got through in less time than > has been taken of late years. If there is any reason in this argument, why does not some member propose sitting on Saturdays and Mondays? Members j attend Parliament to transact public busi- : ness. Many of them in their ordinary pursuits have to attend to business on Saturdays and Mondays as on other days. Why then should they require relaxation from duty on these days while engaged in public affairs any morei than they would if looking after their private avocations? The practice teems to savor of precedent, and as such should be discountenanced, and if there be members who want three j days' rest in the week instead of one, such ' members should resign their seats. In many positions of life men have to devote ten and twelve hours to business daily; why not bo when in Parliament? It may be said that the .spare time is taken up in committees. So it may be, but committees, it seems, could be so arranged that if members would devote themselves to business during ordinary sitting hours of

the House, the}' would not prolong the usual evening sittings iuto the morning of each day ; they would have ample time for the committee work; and could materially shorten the duration of the session by making Saturday and Monday ordinary sitting days. If so, why not ?