THE UPPER HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 20, 18 October 1941, Page 11

THE UPPER HOUSE

Lack Of Respect For Dignity Seen

MEMBER’S COMPLAINT

Measure Received In Dying

Hours

“What respect or regard is paid to the dignity and privileges of this Council, when, on the last day, almost the last hour, of the session it is asked to consider a measure of 77 clauses, making amendments to 40 different Acts?” asked Mr. Bloodworth (Auckland) during the second reading.debate on the Statutes Amendment Bill in the Legislative Council yesterday, Mr. Bloodworth was speaking on a clause which provides for the appointment of women members to the Council.

Earlier the Speaker, Mr. Fagan, in reply to Mr. Perry, had ruled that the clause did not amount to a breach of the privileges of the Council, and therefore could remain in the Bill. Mr. Bloodworth said that, if the proposal to introduce women members meant that the Council was to be made more use of, he welcomed it, but, if that was not the case, the party in power should carry out its policy and abolish the Council. In view of the way in which the Council was being treated, it seemed somewhat futile to refer to its dignity and privileges, said Mr. Bloodworth. Sufficient time did not remain for the Council to compare the aiiiendmeuts with the Acts to be amended. He did not think that anyone, as a democrat, could object to the proposal to alter the-constitution of the Council so that women could sit as members. But such a proposal, effecting a body supposed to have ‘some dignity, should have been brought in a separate measure, not sandwiched in between clauses dealing with the rabbit nuisance and rating.

“I would vote for the abolition of the Council, but, so long as it exists, dignity Is due to it,” said Mr. Bloodworth. “No chance is allowed to the Council to perform its rei’isionary function, and if it cannot function there is no reason for it to exist. The country cannot afford expenditure on a bodj’ that performs no useful function. It is useless to ask women or men to sit In a Chamber and, more often than not, just talk to themselves. If there are men who have given valuable service to the country, and if it is desired to reward them, then pension them without keeping all this elaborate show going.” Changed Personnel.

When he first entered the Chamber there were only three members of bis political persuasion. Now the position was reversed. Sometimes when he looked round he Could almost think ho was back at a meeting of the Federation of Labour 20 years ago. In tjbe old days there was a real reason for the existence of a revislouary Chamber, but circumstances had Changed. “We all know,” lie said “that for the most part matters that come before us, allegedly-for consideration,, are decided before they reach us.” Certain members attended meetings at which decisions were made by which they were pledged iii honour to abide. There was no longer any heed for the Council. If he were asked why he had come back, bis answer was that, if he had not, someone else would have, and things would have gone on the same. .

In reply to an interjection, Mr. Bloodworth said (bat he was free to express .his own view, hot. tho view arrived at at some other meeting.

Mr. Grounds said that he did think it was regrettable that a Bill of so many clauses should be brought down at the very last minute when it was quite impossible to give it the attention necessary ■ for an important measure.

Mr. Perry supported the remarks of the previous speakers about the lateness of tho hour at which the Bill had been brought down. It was obvious, he said, that the Bill ought 10 be referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. It might fairly be said that many of the provisions in the Bill must have been ready for incorporation in legislation 14 weeks ago when lhe session began. He suggested that in future the Government might considei* bringing down a Statutes Amendment Bill No. 1, followed by others later, as was done with Finance Bills. Leader Replies. In reply , the Leader of the Council, Mr. iVilsofi, said he wafi rather surprised and fi little distressed tbiit Mr. “loodworfh had treated the Council to a curtain lecture. He must be aware of the reasons why .the Statutes Amendment Bill was held up till the last. As IjOiider of the Council, said Mr. Wilson, he had always done every: thing he could to meet the wishes of members. If he had had the faintest idea that the Bill would take any longer, than it had in the other House, arrangements would have been made to give members all the time they wanted to discuss it.

The Bill had been available, and if Mr. Bloodworth was ignorant of its provisions it could only be because he had not looked at it. “Theoretically Mr. Bloodworth is right, but in every other way I think he is wrong,” suit! Mr. Wilson. “I do not think Mr. Bloodworth is helping to uphold the privileges and dignity of the Council if ill the last, dying hour of the session he raises a point like this when it is im- . possible to make other arrangements.

If he feels as he says I wonder why he accepted the honour bestowed ~on him.” The only helpful suggestion had -been made by Mr. Perry. He thought it had considerable merit and would see that it received consideration. Mr. Bloodworth said that he had not mentioned or blamed the Leader of the Council. He bad been careful to refer to "the Government of the day. He did not hold the Leader in any way responsible.