REFORM OF THE "LORDS."

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 179, 27 July 1912, Page 9

REFORM OF THE "LORDS."

AND THE ELECTIVE PRINCIPLE. SOME OBJECTIONS. HON. G- JONES , OPINIONS. As the reform of the Upper Chamber is one of the legislative measures which the new Administration is likely to place ■before Parliament in the near future, an opinion on this question was sought by a representative of this journal this nrorning from the Hon. G. Jones, M.L.C,, who is at present on a, visit to [Auckland. "Well," said 'Mr. Jones, "my view of the matter is this: I want to know" why any objection has 'been taken to the present constitution of the Council if the performances of the Council are any indication of its excellence. It seems to mo that if Great Britain had had a. constitution similar to ours for its Upper Chamber, no crisis would have taken place. In my opinion it is practically impossible for any representative system io be satisfactory to the masses of the people, although it seems that the labour representatives are in favour of the elective principle being applied to the CounciL Whatever may be said, it is unquestionable that if the elective system were applied to the. Council those who were best known to the community would be given preference on polling day. Those who 'were best known would be those who were ibest advertised, either through their own efforts or through the instrumentality of the Press. No rising citizen would have any chance against a well-known man who had won his spurs, although in a capacity not conducive altogether to the good of the country, if he had to depend upon an elective system to bring him to the forefront as a legislative councillor." Questioned as to the possibility of a deadlock between the two Chambers in the event of a reform bill passing the House of Representatives, Mr. Jones said: "If the Lower House passed a bill abolishing the Council as at present constituted, it -would probably be rejected in the Upper Chamber. As the appointments are, however, terminable after seven years, it is possible that a majority of the Council might be brought to accept a principle providing for the electron of its members. Though there is no special provision under the New Zealand Constitution for overcoming any impasse such as ■occurred at Home, the Governor might be induced to accept a recommendation to appoint ■a, sufficient number of new members to overwhelm objectors in the Council to the principle." Speaking of the Council's attitude on general legislation, Mr. Jones remarked that the Council as a body were inclined to accept legislation of a progressive character, though it might not come from those who had hitherto 'been viewed as the special friends of progress.