The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1913. THE MANDATE OF THE PEOPLE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1809, 23 July 1913, Page 6

The Dominion.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1913. THE MANDATE OF THE PEOPLE.

, If, as appears to be the case, the supporters of the Opposition in Parliament have been labouring under the idea that they are likely to make profit out of any delay which they may occasion in the passing of the measure for the reform of the Upper House, they will probably revise their opinions after the speech of the Leader of the Legislative Council yesterday. The intention of the Government to press forward with this important reform at all costs was made clcar beyond all possible chance of misunderstanding. And it was made equally plain that if members of the Legislative Council would not face the task ahead of them reasonably and fairly, but attempted to side-track the issue by such pretexts as have been hinted at then would the Government take such further steps as might be necessary to ensure that the Bill would be dealt with on its merits, and the principle behind it given effect to. The Hon. Mr. Bell did not-mince matters in the least. He was conciliatory, anxious to meet Councillors in every reasonable way in matters of detail, keenly_ desirous to secure the benefit of their co-opera-tion and advice; but emphatic almost to heateclness in proclaiming the determination of the. Government to give effect to their election pledges as embodied in the principle of the Bill, of which he was then moving tho second reading. No one could doubt his sincerity or question the strength of purpose behind his announcement as to the intentions of his Government.

In his general review of the position as bearing on the Bill now before the Legislative Council, the Minister was able to present a very strong case in support of his contention that it was the plain duty of Councillors to assist the measure _ to reach its Committee stage during the present session, so that its detailed provisions could be considered and dealt witli on their merits. In the first place, the Council has already affirmed the elective principle, which is tho main feature of the proposed reform. It not only affirmed this, but it did so with such emphasis—the second reading was carried by 24 votes to B—that it is inconceivable that honourable members

could so stultify themselves as to reverse their votes 011 the present occasion. The second reading of the Bill now under consideration might therefore reasonably be taken as certain to eventuate. After the second reading of the Bill of last session the Council considered it advisable not to proceed further with the measure that year. On the motion of the Hon. J. D. Ormond it was decided by 20 votes to 13: "That tjie Council is of opinion that, having affirmed that the constitution of the Council should be altered from nomination to election, it is inadvisable to proceed further with the Bill until next session, in order that the of the Dominion may be given an opportunity of considering the prospects for giving effect to the Bill." It will be seen from the wording of this motion that the Council clearly recognised (1) that the constitution of the Upper House should be changed from nomination to election; (2) that the Bill to give effect to the change should be dealt with the following session—that is to say, now. 111 face of these facts, the members of the Council will place themselves in a very awkward and unenviable position if they should now refuse to carry the Bill to the stage at which the detailed proposals to give effect to the change embodied in the measure will be open to consideration.

There were many who were inclined to doubt the sincerity of the action of the Council last year in hanging up the Bill for twelve months. Probably those who thought the step taken nothing more than a device designed to hamper the Government in its effort to bring about the proposed reform were wrong. The action of the Council, indeed, has not been without its advantages. But there will be good reason for suspicion, if, in view of what then, and has since, happened, the Council should attempt this year to shirk full consideration of the details of the measure. In the end it is not likely to be of any avail, for the Government can take such steps as it may deem necessary to ensure that the Council shall not in this way thwart the wishes of the people, as expressed at the elections of 1911, and also as voiced by their representatives in the popular Chamber. The House of Representatives last, session, after the laying aside of the Legislative Council Elections Bill by the Upper House, passed a series of resolutions affirming the principle of an elective Legislative Council by direct vote of the people, under a system of proportional representation, and with large electoral divisions. This should weigh as an additional and material reason why Councillors should now face the position squarely, and deal with the Government's proposals upon their merits, instead of adopting a course which will prevent consideration of the questions involved for another year. If the Council disagrccsr with the methods of election, or any other of the details of the Bill," it is quite entitled to say so, and to amend the measure to suit its wishes. But it would not be in keeping with its own dignity : and it would conflict with the duty it owes to the people of the Dominion if, after so clearly expressing its recognition of the popular mandate in favour of a change in its constitution, making it an elective body, it were now to refuse to give consideration to , the proposals for bringing into effect what it has admitted is the popular will.