The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1890. THE REFERENDUM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2031, 10 April 1890, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1890. THE REFERENDUM.

A cablegkeam informs us that South Australia is thinking of adopting the Swiss “ Referendum ” system. 'J his consists in referring measures passed by Parliament to the people, and is something like what is known in Prance as the “ plebiscite,” The system is to a certain extent in operation in this colony with regard to rating by local bodies. For instance, when the County Council proposes to constitute a water-supply district it canuot do so without taking a vote of all the ratepayers in the district, so as to ascertain whether the people are in favor of it or not. In the same way, if any local body desired to raise a loan and strike a special rate for that purpose, it must refer the matter to the ratepayers in the way we have pointed out. ’ This is the “ Referendum ” system in a modified form, but, of course, it is not exactly like the way it is put in operation in Switzerland. There it is applied to the measures passed by Parliament, and is either compulsory or optional. Whenever Parliament passes a measure making a change in the constitution it cannot become law until a vote of all the electors of the country is taken. If the majority are in favor of the change the measure becomes law ; if against it, then it falls through and no more is heard of it. This is compulsory. On the other hand, it is optional in matters which do not trench on the Constitution Act. For instance, if a change is made in land laws, in bankruptcy laws, or any other law which does not interfere with the constitution it is optional with Parliament whether they shall refer the matter to the people or not. Supposing the system to be in existence in this colony, the following instances will illustrate how it would work :—First, if Parliament decided that our Governor should be elected bv the people instead of being nominated by the British Government, such a law would have no effect until the “ Referendum” system had been employed in deciding it. The Governor is a part of the constitution, and it would be compulsory on Parliament to take a vote of all the electors of the colony before they could interfere with him. But supposing, again, Parliament passed an Act amending our land laws, it would be optional with the opponents of the measure to refer it to the people or not. The majority who carried the Bill would, of course, be satisfied with it, and would have no occasion to do any more, but if the minority felt aggrieved by it they could appeal to the electors, and thus give it one chance more.

This is the system which the Premier of South Australia admits as capable of application in that colony, and if so in all tne Australian colonies. There is, of course, a slight difference between the constitution of New Zealand and that of South Australia In the latter colony the Legislative Council is elected by the people, but here it is nominated by the Government of the day, and entirely independent of popular opinion. This makes a difference, no doubt, and brings the South Australian* constitution into closer resemblance of that of Switzerland than this colony. But even this does not constitute a difference which would render the “Referendum” inapplicable here if suitable in South Australia, and the now is: Supposing it were adopted in this colony, would it benefit us ? It certainly looks the very acme of true liberty ; it would really mean that the laws would be made by the people themselves. There can be no doubt but that if the people could be got to understand polities and take an interest in them it would be fruitful in good results, but there the trouble lies. The people, as a whole, take very little interest in politics and consequently do not understand them and we doubt very much whether if Acts of Parliament were submitted to them they would be in a position to give an intelligent vote on the points involved in them. Still the Stor m Tt° Uld u a munificent eduW0 ? 1( ? u * dou btedly awaken interest in polities, and if the present geneiation faded m their duties the neU would utilise the “.Referendum ” to advantage. I he greatest objection to it is the expose it would involve. Some cheaper way 0 £ eri SVt ° ° S th,t which Mists at present would have to be adopted, otherwise the expense would oe great, and, of course, it would have be paid out of increased taxation, oull wo think A would be an improvement. It would certainly extend the i

iberties of the people, and vve therefore feel inclined to favor it. At present m this colony the policy is to steal a march on the people. The financial position is concealed from them, and the measures submitted to Parliament are generally kept back to the last week or two of the session, and then hurried through as if by stealth. This is certainly as vicieus as it is disgraceful, and any system which would abolish trickery of this nature shall have our support.