Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1934. ABOLISHING THE SENATE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 195, 31 May 1934, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1934. ABOLISHING THE SENATE.

The Irish Free State Chamber of Deputies has passed the Bill providing for the abolition of the Senate. This step is the outcome of many quarrels between the' President of the Dail and the Upper Chamber, the final cause of difference being the rejection of the Blue Shirts Bill. The Senate has not been able to do anything with Mr de Valera's financial measures because it cannot reject a certified money bill. Neither can it amend one; it can merely, return such a measure to the Dail with recommendations if it thinks there should be alteration. It has, however, exercised its powers of delay on several notable occasions. The oath of allegiance was abolished over the veto of the Senate, which did its utmost to defeat that most, contentious measure. As the outcome of conflict with some of the local authorities over the collection of rates", the Government some time ago introduced proposals to broaden the local electoral franchise from ratepayers only, as at present, to an adult franchise. The Senate, however, promptly rejected the Bill, which, according to the constitution of the Free State, is thus postponed for eighteen months. This action was promptly followed by the introduction, by Mr de Valera. —who had long threatened to take some action on these lines if the Senate did not prove amenable —of a Bili to curtail the Senate's powers, the principal amendment being that the period of delay entailed by an adverse vote should be reduced to three months. Naturally the members of the Senate resented curtailment of their authority and the Bill was referred to a committee of both Houses, thus ensuring at least a preliminary delay. Mr de Valera losing all patience, carried the attack right into the midst of his opponents, by proposing the abolition of the second Chamber. As regards the immediate future, a well-informed commentator, recently wrote of Mr de Valera's possible intentions: It and when he introduces a Bill for the abolition of the Senate, an election maybe coi-sideted imminent, for the certain rejection of such a measure-by its proposed victims would undoubtedly be the signal for a final and decisive struggle, in which he would, it victorious, be able to remove the last obstacle to the full development ot his policy."