QUEENSLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1922, Page 4

QUEENSLAND.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

ABOLISHED

ROYAL ASSENT TO BILL

SYDNEY, March 16. The Queensland Legislative Council ceased to exist. The Queensland Premier, (Mr Theodore) announced last week that the Governor has received advice that Royal Assent had. been given to the Legislative, Council Abolition Bill, and that the necessary Order had been passed by the Imperial authorities.

Mr Theodore said: “This is the first occasion in the history of any State with sovereign powers where the aboli tion of the Upper House has taken place. No legal objection can now be raised. The Council has been abolished from the time the assent was given to the Bill.” Continuing. Mr Theo dore said that the Legislative Council, like the Upper House in other countries where such institutions existed, was the home of reactionary interests. For many years it had thwarted the wilt of the people, and had become a brake on democracy. There were few who would mourn its loss, and fewer stilt would hope for its resurrection. All opposition would be futile now. The Act to which the) Roynll assenl lias been given provides that the Parliament of Queensland shall he constituted by his Majesty the King, the Legislative Assembly of Queensland in Parliament assembled. Provision is made for the appointment of a Standing Revisory Committee. Before any Bill is presented to the Governor for the signification of his Majesty’s assent, such Bill shall he referred to the Standing Revisory Committee, consisting of members of the Legislative Assembly appointed by resolution.

The Assembly Committee will take Bills into consideration with the object of ensuring when the provisions are a clear expression of the will of the intention of Parliament, and that so far as they deal with existing legislation they deal with them clearly and effectively. The Committee will report on Bills to the fjegislative Assembly, and if deemed necessary make recommendations. The Assembly will take such reports and recommendations into consideration, and make any amendments in the Bills as may be deemed necessary. Failing a, report within the fixed time, the Bills will he presented to the Governor for the signification of his Majesty’s assent thereto.

The “Sydney Morning Herald,” commenting on the Queensland Government’s aotipn, says: “Should it unfortunately happen that Labour is not defeated in New South Wales on March 25th, we may expect here attempts like those which wore successfull in Queensland to degrade and then destroy the House which is the real bulwark of popular right and political decency in the State.”