WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1932, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE UPPER HOUSE.

WILL IT ENDURE?

(Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, May 14

The farewelling of the 'retiring members of the Legislative Council at the week end by the remaining colleagues was in some respects a pathetic pr - ceeding. There were nine meihbei s of the Upper House laying doiVti their titles, privileges and records with no more obvious appreciation of tlioi; services than that expressed by their colleagues doomed to the same fate, it would seem, iirtO few years. Of th nine present victims one man was aged 84, one 8-2, two each 77, one 76,'three 70 and one with his' lige unavailable at the moment. Thfe|> ot! er 'inenihers will complete their terms of‘Office oh October 28 next, one'At the age'df ! 77, one at the age of 76 and one at 71. Next year there will lie only two retirements, both by councillors still within their sixties, if “Who’s 'Who” it to be trusted; but in 1934 there wi 1 be half a dozen, three well oyer four score, two still in their seventies ana youth no more than sixty four.

COLLEAGUES’ TRIBUTES. The survivors in the Council were not lacking in extending appropriate appreciations to their ’retiring co,leagues. Sir dames Parr, the leader of the Upper House for the time being; expressed his personal regret at their departure. “We lose them to-day, :,t least for the time being,” he said. ’ “I can say no more than that. It is not my business.” Sir William Hall-Jones was more cordial. He thought the Government at least might .have had the courtesy to let the retiring members know what was coining. “These men, .all dear friends of mine,” lie protested, “have devoted their whole lire to the welfare of New Zealand,- and now they are being thrown on one..side like a wet rag.” Reprehensions ,>.of this kind were scarcely justified-,by the circumstances, but Sir William lias a warm heart which occasionally - out , runs his judgment. Sir Francis Bell, with his exquisite tact, would not believe that “the exigencies of economy” would deprive the country of the benefit of the services of the nine whose terms had expired. At any rate Abe retiring councillors lacked nothing in the way of courtesy and goodwill towards- their survivors.

THE PAST. The whole incident is reminiscent o. the Legislative Council Act of 1911, a measure described officially as. “Ar Act to alter the Constitution and t define certain of the Powers, of'- the Legislative Council,” the suggestion o. the Right Hon. W. F. Massey and the creation of the Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell. This measure it will *be remembered, was placid ou the Statute Book after a warm tussle between 'the Reform Party and the Liberi.i-Labou.' •Party, and subsequently suspended’indefinitely in order that the two 'contending factions- might come together as a National Government during the • progress of the Great War. In 1915, 1916 and 1918 the measure was amend cd in order to assure the maintenance of cordial relations between the parties, and it was not until 1920, a year and more after the conclusion cf the war and the dissolution of the National Government that the Reform Party, again without outside restraint turned to the, problem of legislative reform.

THE FUTURE. The Reform Party, having returned from the election of 1919 with what it deemed a satisfactory majority and. it would seem, with some doubt as t the advantage of creating a nominated Legislative Council, considered it ex pedient to still further postpone tic creation of'guVh a body. “Notwithstanding the issue of the proclamation pursuant to section four of the Legislative Council Amend merit Act 1918 published in the Gazette on the eighth day of January 1920’’ one' of its official announcements ran, “ the Legislative Council Act 1914 shall not commence on the date appointed by the proclamation. A date for . the commencement of the Legislative Council Act, 1914 shall be appointed by :

further proclamation pursuant to section four of the Legislative Coun.il Amendment Act, 1918." Obviously successive Governments—Reform, United and Coalition—all have feared to create a popularly elected Legislative Council which would really represen. the will of the mass of the people, whatever the restrictions upon its legislative powers might he.