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Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1925, Page 2

I'u!■; swamping act in New South Yales as regards the Legislative Council, I,rings into prominence again the value of that body as a useful adjunct of the public law-making. I here is no doubt a revisionary chamber is necessary to deal with the legislation put through so often with such speed by the Lower House. The prerogative <>l the Governnient for the time being to altpoint to the Upper House is not in the best interests publicly. The 1 ppor House is not always wrong in its judgment. yet the fact that the party in power has the privilege of swamping the Council to work its own sweet will, whether right or wrong, suggests that the position is ooiistii titionally in error. Ponte other and better method should be devised to regulate the Upper House, and the- elective principle is palpably the best, ns it is the most democratic. An elective Upper House chosen at a time apart from the election of the Lower House, ami clear from tin- noi.sp anti clamour of a keen party fight, for seats in the Lower House, would bo obviously the best. There would be some advantage, too. in providing for preferential voting, for the election should be by groups. This was tilt' intention of Mr Massey some years ago when he legislated on the subject. He was well advised as far as be went, but reaching a certain point, he halted, find the law has been a dead letter ever since. So iar as the New South Wales t fisc is concerned, the Coventor appears to be constitutionally right. The government lias the majority vote from the people, and is entitled to advance its policy while in office. It wits the accepted policy ol the country which gave the Govcrnmnnt its majority. That policy is being blocked by a nominated Chamber, the appointees of whom represent ibe views of a defeated party. So long athe nominative principle is in vogue tlu> party in power is entitled to r it to give effect to its policy. The Up"cr House bad fair warning, and now the position is 1 erred on Mr Lang to make good hi- threats. Ho would ho a poor leader imbed v. n be to fail at this juncture.

Tim holiday season is now .gelling into its st t itle. Reports front flic other Coast indicate that New Zealand is moving almost en masse. The steamers are finding a difficulty in transporting the people, and extra trains are running fit full rapacity. The Dunedin Exhibit ion is the special draw, and the Coast is sending awav it.s qiioLi. Of the many thousand- on the wing, a fair percentage is Mire to find its wav to the West Coast in duo course. The well deserved pupuhirßv >l' ilie K.vhil>ition is a vii)j£ ieMilt, ;t ml justices tli-* .utvni <*nter-

prise of tlie i.roinotei's. but many fob holiday-making will \ is 1 1 to escape the crowds and enjoy the respite irom the daily round in quieter sin foundings, ihe Coast has ;ittfactions distinctively its own. 'I be romatkiihle tiling is that even to many hundreds o| Ineni result nts. the di-t iurt i. c rharacleristie.West Coast sunny ate not too lainilittr. The knowledge of much tluit is nest and beautiful in our scenic resorts, n elicit sc cml hand-gleaned from someone who has hern there, lo lar too many "I our own people, the attractions ami distinctions of our own district arc not know by personal conlitol. It is an omission to be deplored, and recognising that defect it should be made good. 'I here are certain seasons of the year when popular trips to the south country at popular prices might be undertaken, and would, we believe, be well patronised. A holiday trip within the means of the many would attract liberal patronage if the trial were made. Suclt an enterprise would help also to advertise our own attractions, and make them more widely known than they are. More interest .should be .shown in seeking to devclope scenic attra.tions here, which if they had the vogue they should, would be patronised all the year round. The winter season in the Y'ailio-Fox (■lacier region should be no less popular than the .summer, if the enjoyment possible in the winter time could be realised by those who refrain front holiday-making in that quarter. It seems to be the .same story, in regard to patronising- local holiday resorts, as it is with regard to supporting local business enterprises—the favors go tto other places for lack of loyalty to the advantages at the home door. Many in this district will lie setting off' holiday making just now, and we douht if they give much attention to the attractions hereabouts within easy reach. Perhaps this plea will help to turn the attention of some at least to the real holiday ground there is waiting patrons in South Westland.