FIGHT EXPECTED

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 62, 6 December 1930, Page 9

FIGHT EXPECTED

Upper House Abolition NEW SOUTH WALES BILL Sydney, December 5. In the Legislative Council the second reading of the Bill providing for the complete abolition of the Legislative Council was agreed to. The further stages on the Bill were adjourned until Tuesday. It is stated in well-1 Carmed circles that the President of the Council may eventually refuse to send the Repeal and Abolition Bills on for the Royal Assent, on the ground that he cannot constitutionally do. this unless the •Bills are first submitted to a referendum of the people. A protracted legal fight ’ls expected on the constitutional aspect of the Government’s action to abolish the Upper House. Older experienced, and also legal members, declared that while they were prepared to vote for the Bill, they were quite confident that the Government will be unable to accomplish its desire until a referendum is held, and the voice of the people obtained. , Sir Joseph Carruthers said that he had no doubt how the people would vote. Those who wish to save the Legislative Council are relying 1 on an appeal to the Supreme Court to restrain the Government from proceeding with the measure without a referendum. Accordingly, an injunction will be sought after the Referendum Repeal Bill, which was passed by the Legislative Council, passed the Assembly. The legal question, a most important one, which remains to be decided, is whether a former Parliament can tie the hands of a succeeding Parliament by its Act providing that a referendum must be taken before the Council can be abolished.