DEBATING SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2163, 20 August 1907, Page 2

DEBATING SOCIETY.

There was a fairly good attendance at the Church of England Schoolroom last evening, when a debate on tho subject, “Should the Legislative Council as at present constituted he abolished,’ 7 took placo. Mr. C. Lewis presided, and Mr. Darton led oil' on the affirmative sido, with Dr. Collins as liis opponent. Tlio mover briefly outlined the history of the present system, which he contondod was quite out of placo in a democratic country. It was absurd, ho claimed, that tho legislative work of a man who had boon chosen by tho vote of 7000 or 8000 electors could ho vetoed by one who was in no sense representative of tlio people. Tho Legislative Council was composed largely of tho “wrecks of political life,” men who had boon pitchforked into their positions as tho reward of party services. He did not favor electing the Legislative Council, but preforred the appointment of .a Chamber of Exports, representing the highest achievements in tho arts and sciences, who would act as advisers to tho Houso of Representatives, but would not liavo the power of veto. Such a Chamber would ho appointed by organisations representing the chief professions and industries. ‘ Dr. Collins, prior to answering Mr. Darton, criticised tho action of the Government towards tho Legislative Council Bill at present before Parliament. Ho stated that tl veo Ministers, the Hons. Messrs. McNab, Carroll, and Fowlds had in 1896 spoken and voted for a Bill to make the Council elective, yet on the present occasion, through loyalty to tlio remainder of the Cabinet, they had been forced into tlio position of having to vote against it. Dr. Collins claimed that it was quite unconstitutional for the Government to permit a private member to bring forward a Bill which doalt with one of the most momentous issues before Parliament, and the Legislative Council would have no option but to reject it. Replying to Mr. Darton, Dr. Collins said it was necessary for his opponent to show that the Legislative Council had stood in the way of tho neoplo and refused to give effect to its wishes. As a matter of fact, since 1891 it had never refused to pass a single progressive Bill except tlio Referendum. Election by tho people, he argued, would he an impossibility, as this would bring about the representation of class interests. A Legislative Council appointed by a truly democratic House of Representatives should giveentire satisfaction. An interesting discussion ensued, and at its termination Mr. Dalton’s motion was carried almost unanimously.