THE VALUE OF THE VETO.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1928, Page 1

THE VALUE OF THE VETO.

A second chamber, with an effective power to protect the country against

casual and unscrupulous majorities in the House of Commons, is an urgent national need. The composition ol that chamber is a matter of relative unimportance. In whatever way the second chamber is constituted, it should have power 10 veto any measure passed by the House of Commons, so as to enable tile electors themselves to decide whether they wish—or do not wish—• that measure to become law. ” Admittedly there is a danger.” Mr Harold Cox admits, " that the House of Lords, as at present constituted, might use its powers to veto Liberal or Labour measures, while allowing lory measuic., to pass. It would thus be able to throw upon Liberal or Labour governments the expense and inconvenience of a general election, while leaving ( 011scrvatives in the placid enjoyment ot power and ol the iruits ot office, lo guard against this danger, there should be established the right of a direct appeal to the electors themselves on specific- measures by means of a referendum. In Switzerland, the most democratic of all countries, the vctereuclum works admirably.”—Air Harold Lox.