The Press SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 1934. The Legislative Council

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21198, 23 June 1934, Page 12

The Press SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 1934. The Legislative Council

The Prime Minister's announcement that 14 , members have been recalled or newly called to the Legislative Council ought to be well received, and nearly everywhere it will be. The complaint most likely to be raised—that the appointments will unnecessarily increase the cost of government—is a very ill-consid-ered one, not because the amount of money involved is small, though it is, but because a gravely dangerous weakness in the parliamentary system is being made good. For some time the Government has allowed vacancies in the Upper House, by death or retirement, to remain unfilled; and when Sir James Parr left the leadership for the High Commissioner's office in London, late last year, he left a chamber reduced in numbers and working efficiency below any previous level. Though there had been something to say for the Government's desire to save money, even by this curious expedient, and though there had never been anything to say for the old habit of making nominations in kindness or compliment or acknowledgment of services rendered, the process of thinning the membership of the revising house had gone much too far. The legislation that has been passing before it has included much which, because it was setting up startling precedents in purpose and method and was not generally long matured, called for the most careful oversight. The flow of such legislation is not likely soon to cease. But the Legislative Council's ability to provide the checks and safeguards which are its function has been undermined and brought very near to destruction. The accession of new members is for this reason due and overdue; and it is plain from the list, without particularising, that the Government ha taken a serious duty seriously. The distinction upon which the new Legislative Councillors are to be congratulated is that of being called to a post of national responsibility, not to be fulfilled without ■ personal cost.