The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1912. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1525, 22 August 1912, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1912. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

-, Members of the Legislative Council cannot complain that the proposed change, in the constitution of the body to which they belong was not very fully and clearly explained to them by the Leader of the Upper House when moving the second reading of the Legislative Council Elections Bill yesterday. Me. Bell, in an admirable speech, analysed the provisions of the measure at length, and also reviewed in.a most.interesting manner the course of events which had led up to the present action of the Reform Government. It was desirable that he should have recalled the fact that this great reform is one of the policy proposals which his party has fought for over a long period of years, and fought so successtully it.hasat last converted not only the country, but its opponents in Parliament to the elective principle. The public's memory usually is short, and now that tin; time has arrived when this change in the constitution of the Council is within measurable distance of becoming an accomplished fact, it is just as well that people should realise that the victory has not been lightly won—that it is indeed the outcome of years of persistent advocacy on the part of those who now occupy the Treasury benches. For ourselves, we find it difficult to understand in these days, when tho name democracy is in everyone's mo.iith, why there should be any opposition on tVe part of professing Liberals and Radicals to the application of the elective_ principle to a branch of the Legislature, possessed of large powers in matters affecting.tho welfare of the people. The proposal to abandon the nominative system is one of thc_ strongest, proofs possible of the desire of the Reform Government to rid the country of the evils which have grown up under a Government which had developed political patronage to a fine art. The Reform party has denounced these evils in Parliament and in the country nt every possible opportunity, andiiow that it has attained office its leaders are showing tlieii- sincerity by taking steps to rid themselves of this power of patronage. But the proposed change in the constitution of the Legislative Council is, of course, based on erai higher grounds than the desire lo remove the demoralising influence of political patronage. The rjeople should ■ have

{lie. right to choose those •Jiey desire to represent them within the Halls of Parliament, They have not that right at the present time, so far as one branch of the Legislature is concerned, and the Massey (iov- | eminent proposes to give it to them; and judging by Mn. Uei.i/s remarks yesterday, has thoroughly made up its mind that the Bill shall go through It has been suggested that the Legislative Council, which is composed mainly of nominees of the Continuous Ministry, will kill the JJill. It may fly in the face of public opinion and raise a constitutional crisis, but if there are any Councillors who really think they can stem the tide of popular feeling by refusing to accept the elective principle, they display a quite remarkable capacity for misjudging the plain signs of the times. They are doomed to disappointment and defeat. There may be room for disagreement as to details of the measure—no doubt there will be quite honest and legitimate differences of opinion on quite important points— but these may be adjusted, and should not be permitted to obstruct its passage on to the Statute Book. In any case they cannot be made an excuse for objecting to the second reading of the Bill, which merely affirms the elective, principle. The debate in the Legislative Council is certain to occupy some time, and it may be expected that while the Bill is before the Upper House the proceedings in that Chamber will receive a good deal more attention from the public than they are accustomed to bestow on them.