AN ANACHRONISM.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1917, Page 4

AN ANACHRONISM.

Sir Francis Bell made a statement in the Legislative Council last week to the effect that the National Government was not united in opinion regarding the constitution of the Council, the members of which, the Hon. J. T. Paul pointed out, had fallen from 42 in 'lS>lO to 24 in 1917. The leader of the Council lidded it had been agreed that the operations of the Legislative Council Act, 1914, should be delayed until after the Jiext ensuing general election. The Government. intca&ed at an early date, however, to advise the appointment- of t Additional members to the Council. Sir Francis made a rather significant admission—"The councillors had little to occupy their time during the war and an increase of members would not enlarge their sphere of usefulness." The Upper House has for so long formed a part of the legislative machine that we have come to regard it as essential to the frelfare of the country, and hitherto little support has been accorded those advocating its abolition in preference to Altering its constitution from nominative to elective. It is now shown, however, that for all there is to be done & small body can do the work equally as well as a larger one. Twenty-four, we are told, is the present membership, but probably not more than half of these are to be found in their places. The truth is that many of the members are ljuite beyond the stage when their services can be of help to the State, and it would be a kindness to them and a service to their friends if they could be relieved of the duties they are physically and otherwise unable to discharge. Intend their association with Parliament is one of the pathetic features of legislative operations, and in itself supplies the most effective argument for doing away entirely with a nominated House, if not with a second chamber entirely. The Massey Government succeeded in passing Its elective Legislative Council Bill, but tve now see that it is not to be put into force until after the next general election. But the public might well consider abolishing the bi-camera system and setting up, if necessary, a small revising founcil comprising the most mature and best talent available. To have two elective houses is in principle illogical and in operation stultifying, and, in the light of present experience and the need that exists for overhauling our lawmaking machinery, it is unlikely the country will endorse the departure. In a small place like New Zealand there ?hould be no need at all for a second shamber, which for a long time past has only been used as a convenience and a buffer by the Lower House. Without it, Cabinet and ordinary members would perhaps give fuller consideration to the juestions before them and display more eeif-reliance and better judgment. Whilst Dn occasions the Legislative Council may have saved the Lower House from itself and prevented many anomalies from appearing on the Statute book, the fact remains that in no other part of the world have the laws been so continually overhauled, amended or changed altogether. Our politicians have, no doubt, ft perfect mania for law-making or law-. •Itering, but the non-existence of a second chamber might servo as a brake on their zeal in this direction and so provo of benefit to the Dominion. If the departure is too radical for this unfortunate, over-legislated country, then consideration could be given to the setting up of a small independent judicial body, with limited powers. The present fystem is an anachronism and a source of needless expense.