The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1914. THE CRISIS IN THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2010, 18 March 1914, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1914. THE CRISIS IN THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

—j—*_«. Political controversy is occupying a good deal of public attention in New Zealand at tho present time, and it will certainly increase hi teenness as the general election draws nearer; but the Parliament--ary battle does not loom so largo in this Dominion as in the neighbouring Commonwealth.. Ever since tho last election the affairs of the Federal Parliament have been in a chaotic states and State politics in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania have been in a very unsettled condition for some time past. A-great deal of uncertainty still exists as .to the mariner in which the Federal d-eft-dlock is to be brought. to an end, though it- has become to most people that the present- situation cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely. . Tho Prime Minister (Mn, Cook) has stated more than onee lately that the position of the Government has become intolerable, owing to its narrow majority in the Souse and the persistent' obstruction of the Labour Opposition, and by reason of the fftct that the lafgo Labour majority of the Senate has enabled the Opposition in that Chamber to take the business out o.f the hands of Ministers, . Me. Cook has warned the- Liberals that -an appeal to the country iinist take- place very soofl, but there is still i-mifih difference of opinion as to whether both. Houses will be involved in the coining dissolution, or whether it will be confined to the House ef Represcatatiyes. $his point has just . been dealt with by the Header o\ the Opposition (MR. Andrew FisMt) in opening his ]yre-sessional campaign, as reported in the cable columns-of this issne_. Mft.. Fisher declares that nothing would be more ridiculous than a double dissolution, and lie expresses the view that, if the. Senate is dissolved it would become the .shuttlecock of political parties, arid keep the democracy of the States in constant, turmoil; but he raises no ■opposition to'another election as far as tho House is coneei'ned., Mlt. FiSHEJi's attitude is easily explained by the fact that his party has a large majority in the Senate,- while it is in a minority in the House. If the dissolution only affects the latter, tfe Labour Party has a chance of earning back with a majority, and even if it is defeated it will, prapticallj' speaking, be. in the sanie position as. at present, though its numbers may possibly be reduced; whereas the most- tho Government can'expect'to gain is an increase in its 'majority in the House of Representatives, while tlie Labour Pai% in the"Semite will still bo in a position to block all its legislation.: Nothing hut a double dissolution ■ can be of any real value to the Liberals, and they are naturally; doing their bast to bring about a state of affairs which will result in both'' Houses going to tho country; In a, crisis like the w'esont, it seems desirable that the will of the people should he ascertained hi the most c&niplete form, possible, and in ordei , to do this the wli-ola JParliaflient should bo ciissolvetl and rcclected. This- is the eomnion-senso view. Tla. struggle, however, has resolved itself largely into a question of tactics, ara<3 it .-remains to be seen which! party will ga.in tho advantage as taf as this'phase'of the campaign, is concerned.

Becefli-. events have convinced many people that some amendment in. the, Constitution -is necessary. Both Houses are elective, iiitt the basis of representation is different, ajiel.ia actual working it haft jjocotifie evident that a jx-rsltio-n might arise which would , practically itinotiiJt to: a , chronic state of deadlock, Tlie Senate is rampaged of six Senators far each State, which givfls a little State like Tasmania just as inweh feprcsenfaition and power as a largtsr State, .snch as N&w South] Wales or Victoria. This means j that a majoritv in the Senate might j represent a minority of the whole J iioiHilatioii, and yet be iti a position to prevent the dominant party in the Hc'Use, which is returned an a 'population basis, ffom carrying on ■the business of the country. It would, of course, be ito easy matter j to amend the Constitutioiis eveii if a ■Workable an<l reasonable way outof the difficulty was foimd, and it is generally reeogflised that., for the preSDilt at any rate, the peopb of Auetralia will have to nnike the best ■of the position as it stands. The clause in the Constitution relating to disagreement!! between the two Houses provides that if the House of Representatives passes a Bill, airct the Senate rejects or fails to pass it, and if after an interval of three months the Souse, in the same or next session, again passes the Bill and the Senate injects or falls to pass it, the Govetnor-Gefieral •Itiay dissolve the Soßato end the Hoase sintnltanepwsly. The probfcnl for the Liberals isto bring about the situation above/ .d-escrlbed. Tho Lafeour memhci's in tho Soiier have done their utmost to prevent any business from beiftg transacted in order that the Senate may not' he placed in the posUi'on of having- k> reject Govcrnnicnt Bills, These tactics have caused the gross waste of time and unseetuly wrangling whieh ■ degraded the proceedings of the last Federal session, and compelicct the Prime Minister to declare that the Government cannot, without loss of dignity, allow such ■a- state of affairs to continue j&aeh fofsgeiv He stated a few days ago that the life of the present Parliament, was, lsot likely to bo very lotig. The Liieral Party, he said, woniW ■tiat consent merely to briag in colourless measures and retain its pasi- ■ tion by doing the behests of its opponents. Its' duty was to- carry out a programme which it believed to be in the best interests of the people, Mr, Cook new seems to recognise .that this cannot be done under pro-! sent conditions, and is dfcatrmis of sfisniring ft double dis.sokitioji in order that the people may have an opportunity of deciding whieh party gjia-ll rule the country. Mr. Fishes-, on the. other hand, says a double dissolution wonld be ridkulmis. The coming session will show which of these two_ leaders has read thesituation aright.. In any case, iin election—either of the House alone of of the whole. Parliament—is bound to come very snon, and it is sure to be a- ilesjwratcly-ftrtiglitJjatUß for supiwiiacy bfttween iho Ijilinrnl anrf Lnlwiii- parties.