The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5192, 7 September 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1885.

The recent information telegraphed to us from Wellington, that Legislative Councillors were showing a decided disinclination to advance mining interests throughoat the colony, onco more raises the question of the desirableness of making the Upper Chamber in our legislature, eleo tive. It has long and frequently been held, from a large number of points of view, that the Council does not possess the confidence of the country; we do not think we are far wrong in stating that it does not hold the- highest possible respect of the other Chamber, and even within it's own walls members hare been known to feel that they occupied positions, the existence of which, as they now are, could not be easily justified—hence the more that has been made in the Upper Chamber for it's own reform. Now we find in addition to all those things that the legislative fossils, who do a kind of duty as " Lords " in our Parliament, are putting forth efforts in repressing the advance of the most important industry car* ried on in the colony. The Wellington Evening Post thus refers to the matter :— " The Legislative Council has completely emasculated the Mines Act Amendment Bill. The alterations made will be found in our report of the Council proceedings. They are of the very essence of the Bill The hostility which the Legislative Council seizes every opportunity of showing towards the mining industry of the colony is one of the most curious features in New Zealand politics. That hostility has found fresh and pronounced expression in the bill under notice. The Government, we believe, will not agree to accept the amendments; they will prefer to abandon the bill, and rightly so. Probably, however, there will be a free expression of opinion in the House, regarding the policy of the course adopted by the Council." The Legislative "lifers" are apparently secure in the positions into which they have been pitchforked by different Governments from time to time, and doubtless feeling that they have full po*er to decide as to whether they retain or relinquish their cosy seats, are inclined to act in a somewhat high-handed manner. It may yet transpire that this self-sufficient feeling of security may be foundationless. Were an elective Legislative Council now in existence, those large and most important districts in the prosperity of which mining plays so signißcant a part, would secure representation, and their wants would not suffer from lack of advocacy at any rate ; the gold mining districts would be entitled to elect their share of the members of an elective House, and these would see that their districts' interests did not suffer. Every day this remarkable legislative body is adding another " nail to its coffin," and the sooner this receptacle is prepared with a corpse the better for the country at large.