Untitled

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1527, 9 January 1879, Page 2

Ip it is true that coming events cast their shadows before, a rupture between the two Houses of the Legislature may be looked upon as a feature of the next session of Parliament. The “ New Zealander’’ hints at this pretty plainly, and in a leading article, that bears upon its face the style usually adopted by the Honorable the Colonial Treasurer, in his contributions to the press, endeavours to show the necessity for the Council being made subservient to the wishes of the more popular Assembly. This article, after drawing comparisons between the House of Lords, the Victorian Upper Chamber, and the Legislative Council of Hew Zealand, to the detriment of the latter, the members whereof are characterised as highly respectable nominees holding office, and salaried office, for life, proceeds as follows :—“ The absurd attempt to parody the House of Lords, most notably in Hew Zealand, points very clearly to one great danger which has to he provided against, namely, the giving any sot or number of individuals, continuous legislative powers, and wo take it that whatever scheme may most commend itself, the preposterous ‘ nomination for life,’ does not admit of defence upon any ground whatever imaginable.” And the remedy for the evil is thus set forth : —“We have, to some extent, led away by one phase of our subject; digressed from what we chiefly intended to discuss mainly, what basis of appointment to the Upper Chamber is likely to prove the most satisfactory, under the special circumstances of this, and the other colonies, enjoying the freedom of self-government. Without hesitation, we assert that the basis should be electoral, and we are prepared further to maintain that there is no necessity whatever for a qualification different to that required for the election to the House of Representatives. The adjustment of the electorates should, however, be altogether separate, and these should le so extensive as absolutely to exclude the direct exercise of influences purely local. Within the limits of a single article it is of course out of the question to attempt to fill in the details of such a scheme as we have ventured, so far as regards the leading principle, to suggest. While the dissolution of Parliament should equally terminate the personal existence of both Chambers, it might bo provided that in the event of persistent and continued disagreement upon any vital matter, after a new election, the decision miglit be taken upon the votes of the members of the two bodies sifting together; a solution of the possible difficulties which ecems to have commended itself to the more reasonable politicians of Victoria. At any rate one thing is quite clear. The Legislative Council of Hew Zealand cannot bo allowed to pursue the course which of late years seems to have commended itself to their—shall wo say rather limited intelligencc —namely, by persistently and with deliberation insisting upon thwarting the development of Liberal policy —obstructing every measure which has for its object the relief of the burthens of the people, endeavoring to create class privileges in favor of the “ wealthy lower orders and by restricting the franchise, preventing the practical expression ot the popular voice.