UPPER HOUSE REFORM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 204, 29 July 1932, Page 6

UPPER HOUSE REFORM.

A scheme for the reform of the New South Wales Legislative Council has received the endorsement of the State Cabinet. In due time the Bill will come before the Lower Chamber, and in view of the Government’s wide margin of voting strength should be carried with opposition only from the Labour ranks. The position in the Legislative Council undoubtedly should prove more difficult, as many members will be called upon to vote themselves out of the post to which they have been appointed for life. They are not entitled to remuneration, but receive travelling concessions. Should the Council pass the measure, the question will be submitted for the people’s decision at a referendum. An affirmative answer will mean the abolition of the Council as at present constituted and its replacement by an elective House of a maximum of 45 members. They will be elected on the adult franchise, and their period of office will be six years. Provision is made for a certain number to retire at intervals. The reform of the Upper House is a matter to which Mr Stevens and his colleagues promised to seriously address themselves. In his policy speech at the recent election the Premier said it was proposed to raise the House to the high standard it held in the past as a House of review. “It will,” he added, “be removed altogether from the realm of partisan politics, and will function as a House representative of all classes of the community, not to be swayed by anything but a feeling of its responsibilities and duty to the community as a whole.” It will be remembered that the Bavin Government prepared concrete proposals for the reform of the Upper House, but their submission to the people was postponed because of the economic crisis. It is recognised by Mr Stevens that m the lire of his Parliament he must settle the question, so that incidents of the past eighteen months will not again be witnessed. In having two elected Chambers Mr Stevens’s legislation must guard against one being a replica oi tlie otlier and that, while tuifilling its functions as a revising Chamber, the Upper House will not thwart the will of the electorate In this connection Mr Stevens will have the experience of other British countries to guide him.