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Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1926, Page 2

The troubles besetting tlie Labor Ministry presiding over the political des.

tinics of flic State of New South "Wales promises to be acute, as the Premier, consequent on the Upper House failing to abolish itself lias now to face a political crisis, lie is the prime author of the situation in that he .set about carrying his point by force of numbers. The Governor acceded to the Premier’s wishes and called a number of Labour representatives to the Upper House with the definite object of abolishing that i.ouse. It is rather a serious precedent to establish, indicating at once the weakness of the status of the Upper House when a Premier may set about making it compliant, it it is disposed to be recalcitrant, The situation suggests there is .something wrong "ith a. constitution which permits of such a course The same conditions exist here, and there has been the threat in the past to swamp the Upper House in order that tHo Government for the time being may have its way. Even the Mother of Parliaments has verged on the same condition, and there was the disposition at one time to crowd the House of Lords to secure the passage of what was considered an important policy measure by the Government. In the Now South Wales instance. Mr Lang made the abolition of the Upper House a plank in his policy alter ho became established on the Treasury Benches. To that extent lie hn.s no mandate from the people. But ho had rights to endeavour to force his new found policy through on general principles, and had the right also to advise the Governor about the new appointments. '1 he advice, howver, was not effective, and if as is suggested. Mr Lang goes to the Go-

vernor again for more appointments to the Upper House, lie will have a refusal probably, as there is no guarantee the same conditions may not arise. Ardent. Labour supporters hitherto in the Upper House are withdrawing from the party and the dissension which has reared its head now limy he serious. Mi Lang’s last resource would lie Cromwellian, but lw is not- likely to go thru far, and perhaps a. dissolution will serve his purpose. But that is of doubtful outcome with the result that he may elect to let Parliament run its course, ami in the meantime wait a more favorable opportunity for decisive action. The situation suggests that Hie constitution of the country as affecting the Upjior House should he revised, because it cannot be an effective revising chamber if it is to dance to any tune any party in power lmiv seek to play. The t'ppor House must have a. reasonable measure of independence if it is to function properly, and by being made' elective the best- and most useful situation would lie created.