UPPER HOUSE REFORM

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1930, Page 3

UPPER HOUSE REFORM

PROPOSED REFERENDUM IN .NEW SOUTH WALES. SIDNEY, Feb. 13. The State Government is setting the stage for the coming referendum battle on the question of Legislative Council reform in New South' Wales, in acotMlanee with its election mandate. ' rT .f .... . The iefeieiency of the Upper House is not Impugned by the Goyernment In i'act : is generally regarded, in debating sti'ength and in personal, as a far superior chamber to the lower elective House. • What the Govemri*£nt tears is that if the Labour Party is returned at the next electiopHthe Legislative Council will be wipbd out" entirely. The Government’s ...attitude, is that it is better to amerid it than end it. The Upper r - House Reform ■Hi 11 .is being hotly denounced by some members of that .chamber, because of the electoral basis on which it is to be- reconstituted. . Opposition to the Bill is on the ground mainly that members should be elected to the new Upper House oli. the ordinary electoral franchise, and that that chamber will, in effect, under the reform measure, be constituted of politicians owing their election, nob to the electors, but solely to members of the State legislature, subservient, in turn, to those who puU the strings in the politieai machines. The new Council will be by election of the State Legislature, including membeif 'of the Legislative Assembly The old brigade is bringing out all its heavy guns in defence of its citadei.