LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15823, 23 July 1913, Page 4

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, in moving yesterday in the Legislative Council the second reading of the Bill for the reform of the constitution of that Chamber, gave the best possible answer to the paltry insinuation that the Government 19 not sincere in its proposals. The insinuation is one to which, in any circumstances the public, with its knowlodge of the efforts that were made by the Government last session to liberalise the constitution of the Upper House, would not bo likely to attach very much importance. But if there were any members of the community who were inclined to believe that, for once, the Opposition had any ground for tlie suspicions it has been expressing, the statement that was made by Mr Bell yesterday should be sufficient to reassure them. The Minister was emphatic in his declaration to the Council that the Government was not trifling with the question. Speaking on behalf of- himself and his colleagues he asserted that they would sooner retire from office than fail to keep their pledge to the country to reform the Council. And he warned the Council that if the Bill was not passed this year it will be passed next year. The Council cannot be under any misapprehension with regard to Mr Bell's meaning. The Lower House has already, by resolutions that were adopted by it last year, affirmed the principle that the Legislative Council should be an elcctivo chamber, elected under a systefti of proportional representation. And the Council cannot be permitted to stand in tho way of the enactment of a measure of reform, the principle of which lias been approved by tho elected representatives of the people. If, therefore, it should refuse once more to pass the Bill, the means must be taken to force it into compliance with tho will of the 'electors as expressed in tho House of Representatives. And tho means lie ready at the hands of the Government. By the time Parliament will enter upon its business next year, the scat® of no fewer than sixteen of tho present members of the Council will have becomo vacant. It mil bo a simple matter

for the Government, in these circumstances, to secure that next session the Council shall be so constituted that the passago 'of the Bill for the reform of that chamber -will no longer be obstructed. And it is not to be anticipated that the Government, being thoroughly in earnest in this matter, in which it has the country completely behind it, -will hesitate to avail itself of tho opportunity whereby the enactment of this important measure may be effected in the life of the present Parliament.