WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

Evening Star, Issue 14963, 24 August 1912, Page 1

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

Perhaps it was hardly to be expected that the Upper House would welcome the Legislative Council Election Bill with anything approaching enthusiasm. At the eame time, we do not think that there is much excuse for the irreconcilable attitude that certain members have taken up toward it. We are well aware that the Bill as it stands is open to serious criticism in detail; but, as the Hon. Seymour Thome George showed in his interesting speech, it would be possible .to modify the machinery of the new system in many ways without sacrificing the elective principle. Certainly, the North Island is not likely -o acquiesce in an arrangement that would give it only equal representation with the South,; but, generally speaking, we hold with an elective rather. than a nominated Upper House, and we hope to see the principle ultimately carried into effect.—Auckland ' Star.' * * * In all parts ot the world there are New Zealanders holding important appointments who would probably have been kept in subordinate positions had they remained in their own country, and in this matter ive suggest that the Government might very well find Mr PvOTiayne's successor among those who have spent the best oart of their lives in the Railway Service. -We feel strong sympathy with the protest tjjat is being made, and we hope that Mr Ilervies will give the matter verv careful reconsideration before he decide* finally uj call for applications abroad. —Southland ' Times.' * ' * * There was no hidden pitfall in Mr Craigie's amendment. It was a straightout test, and it found some members Wanting. There is' no reason, however, why it should not serve a more useful purpose than that of the immediate present. The leaseholders may be a small | number, but they are sufficient to form the I backbone of a. strong, progressive section of the. House. Mr Craigie has given them an opportunity to get together, and now thai their common intention has been declared they may join in exercising a very valuable influence upon the work of Pailiament.—Timaru ' Post.' * * # We are not surprised that Sir .Joseph Ward has refused to accept the Leadershin of the Opposition. He is incomparably the ablest man on that side of the Hous?. but he must be of an even more amiable and forgiving disposition than we think he is to bo able so soon to overlook bis recent experiences of party ingratitude. In the circumstances. _ the Opposition have adopted what is perhaps the best alternative—namely, that of appointing a committee of management. — Christchurch ' Press.' * * # We presume that the absence from the Bill for the reform of the Legislative Council of any provision for dealing with "deadlocks" between the two branches_ of the Legislature is due to an oversight, and that the omission will be repaired before the measure is sent on to the House. The systen of voting and the method of counting and transferring the votes are admirable, ensuring accuracy and avoiding the tiresome complications and tedious delays of the Tasmanian system, and notwithstanding all its defects we hope that by the time the Bill emerges from committee it will have assumed a form that will make it acceptable to everyone who wishes, to see the Council j truly representative of the voice and will j of the people.—' Lyttelton Times.' j ** * 1 Contrary to the customary order of things, the supporter? of the Government provided the greater part of the really j useful matter in the debate. While they have freely expressed their appreciation and approval of the Budget piceented by the Minister of Finance, and have given enthusiastic endorsement to the policy proposals outlined therein, they have, with equal freedom, stated .their personal views of the needs of the country as they see them. Ministers will no doubt profit by the suggestions offered and the hinlo given, for it is to the credit of the Massey Government that they are wise enough to realise that they lose nothing either in dignity or prestige by accepting and adopting a* good suggestion, whether it comes from friend or foe. If the Government do not commit any worse offences, however, than can be laid to their account up to the present, they have little to fear from their candid friends or from their open foe*.—' Dominion.'