REFERENDUM SOUGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26625, 22 November 1947, Page 8

REFERENDUM SOUGHT

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGESAMENDMENT DEFEATED IN. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ! is P.A. WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. A referendum of the people of New Zealand should be taken before any change in the Constitution of New Zealand is made, according to Mr T. Bloodworth, Auckland, who moved an amendment to that effect in the Legislative Council to-day when the New Zealand Constitution (Request and Consent) Bill was under consideration.

Mr Bloodworth said he objected to Parliament having power to change the Constitution. New Zealand should have power to change its Constitution, but the power should be with the people of New Zealand, and not with Parliament, which should not be in the position of being able to make rules to suit itself without consulting the people. There was a party in power at present which could be described a& a “middle of the road party,” said Mr Bloodworth, but there could be elected to power a party which might drift to the Right or to the Left and to secure themselves in power they might alter the Constitution. It was safer in a democracy to trust the people than to trust Parliament. In reply, the Leader of the Council, Mr D. Wilson, said it was not the time to consider whether the Constitution should be amended before the will of the people was sought. Every democrat would agree with the provision that before any alteration was made to the Constitution there should be no doubt about the will of the people. It was possible another Government might alter the Constitution without obtaining the will of the people, and that would be the time to raise the question. / In the committee stages Mr Bloodworth moved his amendment which, on a division, was rejected by 15 votes to 3.