"FADS AND PET THEORIES."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 983, 25 November 1910, Page 5

"FADS AND PET THEORIES."

COMPLAINT AGAINST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. , The action of the Legislative Council in. making certain amendments in the Dentists Bill :was the occasion for some straight talk in tho' House of Representatives yesterday.; \\ . • . ■ Mr. Wilford (Hutt) > described tho tendency of tho Upper House to alter Bills' as subtle. There had recently been a Sudden ' desiro—unprecedented, ha believed—on' the part of the 'Council to inH 5?" 1 P rac ti ca lly the majority will of tho House on almost every piece of legislation sent forward.. "I would like to know," continued Mr. Wilford, "how many times this session wo have had to' disagree wjth amendments made by tho Council in Bills. Tho curious thing is that in nearly all the amendments inado by the. Council there is a tendency to introduce some fad or pet theory." Mr. Wilford concluded by stating that he hoped the House would make a strong protest against the continual tinkering that went on in the Council in regard to legislation. ■ This was not the view which Mr. Laurenson (Lyttelton) took with reference to tho matter. hat was the position in regard to amendments made by the Legislative Council in various Bills? If there were any interference on .the .part of the Council he would be among tho first to denounce them. But- as a matter of fact there had been no interference at i {% 5 ,f s ? 01 l ? n unprecedented numl>er of Bills had been dealt with i n d how m any ; times had the Houso had to disagree with amendments made by the Council? . Not more ■ than .four. And what was tho nature of. tho amendments? With one or two exceptions tho amendments made by the Council had improved the Bills. '' ■ Mr. Wilford: What about tho Gamim? Bill? (Laughter.) .' ' DS Mr. Laurenson, continuing, said ho would'like to express his sense of indebttdness to the Upper House for the useful work which had been done by tho Council in regard to various Sills. "It looks as if there has been some wire-pulling somewhere," commented Mr. Witty in tho course of a few brief remarks on the subject. Mr. Russell (Avon) said that he was surprised at'the manner in which Mr. Wilford had attacked the Upper House. The members of the Council, and especially the legal members, had bestowed a'patience, care and study in regard to legislation which did them infinite credit. (Hear, hears.)