WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1920, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. DEFERRING DAY OF DECISION. (Our Special Correspondent). WELLINGTON, Oct. 8. It’ was made fairly evident by the little discussion in the House last night op the proposal to further postpone the operation of tile Legislative Council Act that the whole principle of the measure is in jeopardy. When the proposal fur postponement was before the Council, the Attorney-General declared that he would not ill any shape of form countenance a renunciation of the policy in this matter laid down by the Government in 1914 and there is no reason lo doubt his profession of consistency. But Mr Massey was not nearly so emphatic in bis adherence to the principle of an elective Upper House last night. The undesirable results of the nominated system which were so obvious ip 1914, he contended, had disappeared in 1920. He was not prepared to repeal the Act, hut if the House insisted upon doing so— avcll, that ; was members’ own concern. HAEF-HEARTED REEORMERS. Probably Mr lianan ivas very near the mark ivlien he said the Reformers had lost their liking for their own Act. The party that has the power of nomination naturally sees more virtue in the present system than does the party that is put of office. Mr Massey’s waning enthusiasm for an elective Council may he due to a very proper appreciation of his own impartiality and discrimination in the constitution of a nominated one. But the Avavering is not on the Reform side of the House alone. There are, indeed, many good Liberals avlio hold that a nominated chamber is consistent Avith the most democratic professions. Mr Isitt, again, represents another school of Liberal thought and rejoices that “the Act is as dead as Julius Caesar” because it Avould make legislative councillors responsible to the electors and compel them to appeal to large constituencies! THE TENURE QUESTION. The Govermcnt issued another challenge to the leaseholders in the House last night by bringing down the Rotorua Town Lands Bill Avliich proposes to give the tenants of the Crown Avithin the toAvn of Rotorua the option of acquiring the freehold. There has been a persistent demand by the tenants for this concession for several years past, and at the last general election they made it the deciding factor in casting their votes. Mr Hockly, the iioav member for the district, came to the House pledged to their vieAv and, to do him justice, lie is not the kind of man to neglect any legitimate means of discharging his obligation. The motion for the acceptance of the Bill, Avliich was brought doAvn by the GovernorGeneral’s message, Avas carried by 38 votes to 25, a striking feature of the division being that Mr Wilford, the leader of the Opposition, voted with the Government. This does not end the matter and meanwhile the leaseholders are pluming themselves on their display of strength. THE COAL SITUATION. In reply to a question in the House of Representatives yesterday, the Prime Minister admitted the coal position Avas not so satisfactory as he had hoped a day or tAA'o before it would he. The local position had improved since last week, the. jukemiro mine kgu.ig.. they only mine idle at the moment, and it Avas hoped the negotiations between the men and the oAvners then going on would be attended by satisfactory results. But Avhile there was plenty of coal in Australia available for shipment to the Dominion and sufficient ships to carry it, the waterside Avorkers at the ports Avere refusing to Avork overtime in order to give cargoes for NeAV Zealand quick dispatch. The Government had been able to buy quite a large quantity of coal in the Commonwealth, but while the Avatersiders there continued their present attitude, increased local production was the country’s best hope of relief.