Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1925, Page 2

It kadkiis of Saturday's papers scanning tbe news of the appointments to the Upper House, would remark that in accordance with tbe advertisement as to bis prowess in performance, tbe Prime .Minister is certainly the man to get tilings done. The four gentlemen who just retired from Parliament were with tbe least possible delay translated to the Legislative Council where they will sit as honorable members. Probably the appointments of TTon Mr Guthrie and .Sir Heaton Rhodes will not call for special comment, although it may be said neither will add very special political lustre to the Second Chamber, (but as retiring memlters whose health unfortunately is impaired, it is perhaps not surprising to find them sent to “another place” where there is more repose, and they will Ik 1 removed from tbe bent and .urnioil of tbe Ixiwer House. With regard to the appointments of Messrs Txitt; and Witty , no doubt much could tie said. These gentlemen have received their reward for keeping the Massey Government in poewr. Doubtless the appointments were not such ns would commend themselves to Mr Coates persotmlly. hut as he was to carry out the promises of Mr Mnssey, here was a promissory note which fell due. and tbe payment bad to lie honored by whoever was the lender at the time. The transition of Messrs Isitt and Witty to tbe Upper Mouse under tbe peculiar circumstances of the case., will not lie acceptable to tbe country ns a. whole. We may conclude that Mr Coates bad an uncongenial task to carry out in this matter, and it is peculiar of the man that be got it over as quickly as lie could. The incident gives point to tbe real necessity there is for reform in tbe appointments to the Upper House. Tbe two cases specially mentioned now do not stand alone as arousing the feeling, for there have been other appointments no less imapproved, which have incited the public mind to demand a cluuige. As the Upper House stands now it is merely a registering machine for the Government, and in that method of working it appears to be quite a surplusage. Tbe Upper House should have uses, and its privileges as a useful factor should not he abused. Here is a chance then for Mr Coates to go still further in getting things done, and in doing so be can follow in the footsteps of Mr Massey, and carry out another of the late leader’s promises. In 1914 Mr .Massey bad passed the Legislative Council Act, to alter the constitution and to define certain of the powers of the Upper House. By that act the members were made elective, but, the war developed, and tile Act was never | lit in force; and is a dead letter since. Here is Mr ('elites’ opportunity to move “onward" in political reform of a much necessary nature. The Upper House as at present constituted and conducted is an mine'es-nry adjunct to the hotter government of the country. A change is urgently necessary as the Isiit and Witty appointments seem to cry out. Now is the opportunity for Mr Coates to get this matter dealt with practical! v.