TOO MANY INFRINGEMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 60, 8 September 1926, Page 8

TOO MANY INFRINGEMENTS.

AUhough the Legislative Council may in general amend Bills sent up for its 'consideration from the House cf Representatives, there are certain amendments, those concerning" money,: for instance, which they may not make without infringing the privileges of the House. : '...'' Yesterday afternoon it was reported to the House by the Minister of Lands that the Council had made an amendment to the Land Laws Amendment Bill. Mr. Speaker said that it was his duty to announce that the amendment infringed the privileges of the House. Mr.. M' Leod said that the amendment was not a vital one and merely related to the better handling of the Lake Ellesmere Account. . He moved that the House agree with the amendment, and waive its objection on the paint of privilege, provided such waiver was not used as a precedent. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. B. Holland) said that although the amendment was not a very important one, at the same time he thought there was a grave danger- in giving way in matters of that kind. "I have been struck this session," said Mr. Holland, "with the number of occasions ou which amendments which have come from the other place have infringed the privileges of this Chamber. I don't think we have had a session previously —since I have been in the House, at any rate—whero we have had so many instances of that kind. I am not opposing the motion,. but on any future ■ occasion any similar motion will receive determined opposition ■ from those benches." ■ :. '. The amendment was agreed to. „ There was a ripple of laughter when the decision of the House was reported in the Council a little later, for only a minute or so before the Council had resolved to assert its, own privileges in regard to another ainendmsut. The House had returned the Town Planning Bill with a report that.it disagreed with the amendment inserted, by the Upper House providing that the Director of Town Planning should not engage in private. practice, as such a provision was a breach of the privileges of the House. . ; The Leader of the Council (Sir Heaton Ehodes) moved that the' Council should not insist on its amendment, but -remarked that it wa3 within tJe privilege of the Council to make such an amendment. t ■•'■ ,_,'- -"lt's a matter of principle,* and we ought to stand by our guns," remarked the Hon. Mark Cohen. ■ Mr. Speaker pointed out that by the method proposed each Chamber would mnintain its privileges. Sir Heaton: "I hope the Council will not insist upon the amendment. I fail to see that the amendment involves any appropriation. However, the House holds that it is so, and we should let it go at that," ; '■•