OVER-GOVERNED

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1938, Page 3

OVER-GOVERNED

Australians Dilemma

RETIRED JUDGE’S OPINION.

AUCKLAND, November 28.

“With world unrest increasing, and faced with the probability of higher taxes, Australia is father apprehensive for the future,” said Judge W. Mocatta, a retired judge of the New South Wales District Court, who arrived in Auckland by the Niagara “It looks as if they are going to mobilise our manhood, too,” he added. .Judge Mocatta, who has come to Auckland to meet his wife and daughter, who will arrive from England tn a few days, lived in Auckland about 50 years ago, and expressed his eagerness to see the city again after so many years. He .lived at -Remuera for about two years, when only a youth, and still carries on his upper lip a scar of a wound suffered in the hunting field at ‘Ellerslie. He sustain' ed the injury when his horse bumped him against a scoria wall. - , ! ■

“I most decidedly think we are overgoverned, and have Too many legislatures,” said Judge Mocatta, when ask ; ed'to comment on the recent suggestion of a former . Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. J. H. Scullin, that /the Commonwealth. Government) should hold a constitutional session of-Par-liament to draw up proposals for submission to the electors for recasting the Federal constitution. The; Prime Minister, Mr. J. A; Lybns, had issued a statement indicating that he was in favour-of such a session beihg held. There was need for the uhiflcatibh of government-in Australia, added Judge Mocatta. It had to be admitted, also, that on accouiit Of the vastndss of the continent, and because pl many other problems, there were many difficulties- to be solved before, unification could, be .achieved.,. Government’ Under a system would have to be submitted to bodies situated in various states to handle - local affairs,

“One central government \Vould he a good thing; but there are so many local necessities,” he added. - “Fof instance, the legislature that would have to' ■ govern ■ New South Wales, would -have tb know alf'about the problems of .such remote-partsof the Coriiriioiiweaith r as'‘Darwin?’'