The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1887. REFORM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1552, 7 May 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1887. REFORM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

I Although the question of reforming the constitution of the Legislative Council has been referred to m most post-sessional and pre-sessional speeches for years past, and although during the term ft he present Parliament proposals m that direction have twice been brought forward m the Upper chamber itself, there has hitherto been a disposition to treat the whole question rather as a theoretical than as a practical one. This we think is to be regretted, as however widely opinion may differ as to the scope of any measure of reform there is at least « point on which there is a pretty general concensus of opinion, hence clearly one direction m which reform should be attainable. Those root and branch reformers who would reform the Upper Chamber out of existence may possibly be .m the jpgfit, but they have not yet succeeded m convincing the public that they are so or there would have been a general demand for a measure m that HSr^rtion. Nor as yet has there been any distinct expression ©f opinion m favor of an elective instead of a nominated Upper House. It is every where conceded (that is to say everywhere outside ot the Council Chamber itself) that, however seats m the Council are to be granted, the holders of those seats should not have a life tenure of them. It is patent that, save m very exceptional instances, the mental vigor of all men is impaired by extreme old age snd the spectacle of those who are m their dotage sitting m revision of the work of the representatives of the people, with a veto upon the will of the country, as expressed by the elective House, is an anomaly which can not be put an end to a day too soon. The Government has, therefore, done wisely and well id bringing down thus early this session a Billjto effect the muchneeded reform of making the duration of office of Legislative Councillors a fixed term of years instead of for life as at present. The measure is a short one, consisting of only four clauses, one of these being the title clause. The first of the operative clauses repeals those sections of the Constitution Act, referred to the Upper House, and m lieu thereof other provision is made by the succeeding clause of the Bill, and the last of them declares that seats shall be vacated for either of the following causes, viz : — (1) Absence for more than one whole session ; (.2) Acknowledging allegiance to a foreign power j (3) Becoming a subject of a foreign state; (4) Bankruptcy or insolvency; (5) Becoming a defaulter, or being convicted of any felony or infamous crime ; (6) Resignation. No provision is made for a seat being vScated by death, though no doubt this will be supplied during the passage of the Bill through Committee. The whole pith of the measuie is to be found m section 3 which is as follows: — "From and after the passing of this Act every person who shall be appointed member of the Legislative Council shall hold his seat there for 7 years, to be reckoned from the date of the instrument^ his appointment, and no longer. Nothing m this section contained shall apply to any member of the said Council holding office therein the day of thefpassing of this Act." The last paragraph is no doubt necessary as a matter of expediency, for there would not be the smallest chance of the " noble lords," who at present hold what are practically life pensions, cutting them off by their own act, and that would be a degree of patriotism which human nature can but m few instances rise to. But half a loaf is better than no bread at all. To put an end to any more of these life appointments will be a great thing gained. We hope that the Bill will pass both Houses ; there is little doubt that it will be accepted by the Representative Chamber, but it is said the Council is not so likely to accept it. Should this be the case it will be a very unwise thing and will lead m all probability to a agitation for a reform of a much more sweeping and radical nature.