THE EDUCATIONAL FRANCHISE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1863, 9 June 1888, Page 4

THE EDUCATIONAL FRANCHISE.

♦ The action of the Legislative Council m, for the fifth time, throwing oat the Educational Franchise Bill 13 utterly indefensible, and may indeed be fairly described as incomprehensible. The fact that it has been passed by the House of Representatives, every time it haß come before them, by pronounced majorities, clearly shows that the reforms proposed are demanded by the people, and the Council, m refusing so persistently to yield to that demand is exceeding its proper functions, which are merely those of insisting that surprise legislation shall not be carried out, but that the people shall have ample t^e to express their opinion. This v uaY j jo.n o. been done m unmistakeablo ♦ erms j}^ Council, as a nominated K ody h{^ no just right to set its opi^,,, m o^ position to the will of the - f)rop]e V^ t b ft majority of thirteen to seven the Lords yesterday throw out a Bill, the principle of which h«>:i been no less than seven times affirmed by the popular branch of the Legislature. If this sort of thing is to be carried on, what is the use of having a representative House at all? Unquestionably the Bill was a desirftble and necessary one. The ambiguous definition of "householder' m the present Jlducation Act has led and will lead \ o constant misunderstandings and nnmn v, cations. The proposal tor, ~S' nomination from the e)ee»-' TT*\Zo alteration, and has - f n \ ! aS V ™° unanimous appro- , »f * wlt > a f lm .°^ colony, and W' -«1 throughout he single for & ■>? the substitution of the »lly deir' ' c cumulative vote is genergyst*- .anded, the present cumulative yin ■ m having worked exceedingly baclly .ad being everywhere complained of. It is, however, evident that the prejudice, ignorance, and obstinancy on tho pait of the noble Lords are for the time being invincible, and it has become necessary that the question of the reforms asked for m connection with such elections Bhould be taken up by the Govornment itself Wo arc glad to learn from our Wellington correspondent that this is now recognised, and that should the present Ministry weather the session, they will next session bring down a Bill to amend the Education Act, which will contain the provisions of the Bill which has just been rejected by tbo Upper House.