Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MAY 16th., 1927. AN OLD INJUSTICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1927, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MAY 16th., 1927. AN OLD INJUSTICE

New Zealand’s Parliament is due Io re-assemble next month, and. as the second year of the House of Bepresental ives ’ term is usually the most important of the three, public interest should be awakening. There is nor much sign of such enthusiasm, although Party leaders arc endcavouring to arouse it. Mr. Holland is concluding a propaganda lour of the Dominion, distinguished mainly for condemnation of what his opponents have done rather than for information about Labour suggestions. Mr. Downie Stewart gave a cleverlycompiled review on the national finances, last week, but he did not promise large taxation reductions, thus there was little for the nation to demonstrate over. Mr. Coates is soon to give a policy speech at Dargaville, and this may be as a -clarion call, but on the whole, it is safe to say that those in Parliament are more excited about the coming session, than are those they

represent. There is no “burning question of the hour’’ before the nation at present, and no heroic legislation is likely to be attempted. The Bible in-Schools bill is to be re-intro-duced. and such a topic is sure to provoke much controversy. Licensing and gambling are other subjects that, need attention, and more open minds than (he respective camps are likely to possess. Daylight saving will also be re-intro-

duced, and it is to be hoped that this bill will pass both Houses, this year, and so give New Zealanders the opportunity Io try an experiment which has proved beneficial in oilier countries. It will be recalled that, last session, the Bill passed the Lower House, but was rejected in the Council by the casting vote of the Speaker. Reference to the Legislative Council makes it opportune to remind Greymouth people of their lack of representation in the Upper House. This anomaly has existed for many years, and a remedy was Jong overdue. Hokitika has an M.L.C., so has Millerton, but the most important part of the Coast, and the part that is most progressing in population and commerce,

has no one to voice its claim in Ihe Council Chamber. Greymonth has several citizens well qualified for Conni'il membership, and one of these should have been appointed to succeed the late Air. Grim monel. It is known that the Prime Minister is to make appointments to the Council, very soon, there being at least, nine seats to be filled. Some of the present holders may be reappointed, but be that as it may. Greymouth should now start urging on Air. Coates, its undoubted claims to have an AI.L.C. resident within its borders. If it does not ask, Greymonth will be passed over again. Rumour is busy that Hokitika is less passive, and. as is often the case, is working energetically, whilst its larger Northern neighbour does nothing. It would be most unfair were Hokitika or South Westland again to have two members of the lipper House, and Greymonth to have none. The issue is important and should be treated by Greymouth as a community matter, all local bodies and interests co-operating to prevent the old injustice being maintained. In this instance, Greymouth is certainly not asking for something out of its turn, and it is difficult to believe that the Prime Minister would refuse its request, were the matter unitedly brought 1o his notice. '1'1)0 present position is very detrimental to (irevmoufh’s interests, commercial as well as Parliamentary.