WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 231, 29 September 1917, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

IN A CRITICAL MOOD

(Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 26. Probably as a retort to the criticism that has been levelled against itself in various quarters during the present session, the Legislative Council has been indulging in some plain speaking on its own account. The candour has not been confined to the Hon. J. T. Paul and the Hon. John Barr, the "Labor Lords," who, of course, are the "Independents" of the Chamber, owning allegiance to nfeither party and specially commissioned to represent the spirit of divine discontent which proverbially makes the wheels of progress go round. Even Sir Walter Buchanan, commonly regarded as the epitome of all the proprieties, has been speajdng with startling frankness of tlie qualifications of the new Public Trustee, and the Hon. G. Carson has been glorying in 1113 recognition of "the terrible weakness of the Government." The Hon. W. Earnshaw is pained by the efforts of Ministers to "get away from democracy," and the Hon. A. T. Maginnity deplores their assumption of uninstructed authority in details of administration.

SHELVED REFORM

As a matter of plain fact the live rriembers of the Council are feeling a little irritated by the Government's persistent, neglect of their Chamber. Probably,a majority of them are not particularly, anxious to see the Council made elective, though this was one of the strong election cards of the party to which they owe their seats; but they want to have this question definitely settled .one way or the other, and in either case they want the Chamber restored to its full strength. The Government's reply to all this is that during the continuance of the party truce it is impossible to deal with the problem of Council reform, the views of the two parties being distinctly opposed to one another, and that in the meantime it is undesirable to appoint more members than are actually required for the transaction of the current business. But in spite of this pronouncement it is generally expected that several appointments will be made in the near future.

SIX O'CLOCK. CLOSING

The Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill is still before the Statutes Provision Committee of the Legislative Council, and from a statement made by Sir Francis Bell yesterday it is understood that it will not make its reappearance in the Council before Wednesday next. Meanwhile a great mass of evidence is being taken by the Revision Committee, and a small army of lawyers is picking holes in the'measure. It is highly improbable that the Committee will recommend any departure from the decision of the House in regard to the hours of sale, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but it is quite probable it will suggest minor amendments to suit the convenience of travellers and to allow of liquor being supplied with meals after 6 p.m. Alterations of this character would have to be very fully safeguarded to get through either branch of the Legislature, but the official prohibitionists, now realising the magnitude of their victory on the main point, would not meet them with any factious opposition.

SECOND DIVISION.

Thanks to its excellent organiatiosn and its tactful persistence, the Second Division League has made very considerable progress towards the goal it set out to achieW. It has won the sympathy of a large majority of the members of the House, and has obtained a number of very material concessions from the Minister, for Defence. The important differences remaining between Sir James Allen and the representatives of the League have to do with the amount of separation allowance and the substitution of legislation for regulations. The latter poinff the League regards as vital. It wishes the dependants of the married men going to the war to be secured by statutory law against the changes and risks of the future. Equality of sacrifice is the underlying principle of its demands, and so far as this principle applies Parliament is in the humor to do its duty. Ministers may not be able to do all that is being asked of them, but they are showing a disposition to do all that is possible.