The Auckland Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1934. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 56, 7 March 1934, Page 6

The Auckland Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1934. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the icrong that needs resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that tee can do

Tlie Prime Minister's announcement that the "appointment" of new members is to be "dealt with" before next session has drawn from the "Dominion" a vigorous demand for the implementing of the 20-year-old Statute providing for an elective Upper House. The morning paper in the capital, which, it should be remembered, is Reform in its political leanings, contends that "there is no reason, other than the lazy man's inclination to let things bs, for perpetuating in what was once a progressive country a system of representation that is not representative at all." To this it may be added that it was Mr. Massey who put this legislation through and that he and his party had years in which to make it effective. Certainly it is time that the country made up its mind whether it wishes the nominative system to continue or whether it prefers an elective Chamber. In the meantime the number of councillors has become exceptionally small. Many rumours have been circulating about appointments, but the truth probably is that there has been a difference of opinion between the Prime Minister and his chief colleague, not so much in the choice of new councillors as on the need for making appointments at all. If by "dealing with appointments" Mr. Forbes means that he is going to make appointments —which presumably he does,, but why couldn't he say so plainly?—he recognises that if there is to be a Legislative Council it should be sufficiently strong in number to do its work properly. It is to be hoped that the new appointments will not be made on party lines, but that the two leaders will make every effort to strengthen the council by the addition of capable representative men in the prime of life, regardless of their political affiliations and party record. In these days of unprecedented economic difficulties, when there is so strong a temptation to take drastic legislative measures, there is all the more need for a strong revising Chamber.