LONGER SESSIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9052, 11 February 1908, Page 4

LONGER SESSIONS.

In his Auckland policy speech the I Premier again threw out a hint that longer sessions are necessary in order to get through the work. This would involve increased pay to members and increased cost all round in connection with Parliamentary affairs. Sir Joseph's explanation is this: "For some unaccountable reason, during the earlier periods of a session, it is exceedingly difficult to get measures passed." Ergo, the remedy "is to meet much earlier and sit for a longer period than Parliament does now." The reason for the non-pas3age of measures, in the earlier days of a session is not "unaccountable" nor is the proposed remedy necessary or desirable. The reason is that the Government "for some unaccountable reason"— that is unaccountable to the uninitiated—will not bring down their policy bills, or proceed with them, until a late period of the session. Delay of important polity measure" is a common practice, with this as with the late Government. Almost every bill that is likely to be hotly debated is held back for rush before the prorogation. Sir Joseph is not consistent in his contention, any more than he is logical therein, for it will be remembered that when be was in charge of the House during the late Mr Seddon's absence in England he I pushed through one of the most useful sessions in almost record time. If the salient measures of the Government are introduced early, and the head of the Ministry shows sincerity in his desire to push them forward, there will be no cause to complain that the earlier portion of the session is wa3ted.