THE NEW ZEALAND EXCESSIVE LEGISLATION MANIA PREVENTION BILL, 1873.

Otago Witness, Issue 1138, 20 September 1873, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALAND EXCESSIVE LEGISLATION MANIA PREVENTION BILL, 1873.

A Bill intituled an Act to prevent the perpetuation and extension of the dire calamity known as " the excessive legislation mania," within the Colony of New Zealand.

PREAMBLE. * Whereas the members of the Government, and. also : private members of the General Assembly of New Zealand, have all alike been seized with a dangerous mania for crude,needless, or injurious legislation, which has .heretofore occasioned much loss of valuable time, good paper, and hard cash: And whereas also the Statute Book of the said Colony has thereby become an involved mass of intricate and, inexplicable Chinese puzzle law, to the grievous detriment of the mental quietude of the 'judges of .Her Majesty's Supreme Court, and all other persons whomsoever engaged in the' administration of the law within the limits of the same : And whereas, moreover, the periodical attack of the aforesaid mania hasj session after session, become more violent, and is now fast assuming the form of a perfect nuisance to all lawabiding citizens throughout th-e Colony, who are thereby effectually prevented from knowing what the law really is, until it is really " law " no lonyer, by reason of some Act "to amend" or "further to amend" the same, as the case maybe. Ard whereas, finally, it is therefore highly expedient to devise an effectual remedy for the same : Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : —

SHORT TITLE.

I. The Short Title of this Act shall lie "The New Zealand Excessive Legislation Mania Prevention Act, 1873." LEGISLATION PROHIBITED FOR YEARS.

11. On and after the passing of this Act, or its being otherwise brought into operation as hereinafter provided, it shall not be lawful for any person whatsoever, or whomsoever, to introduce into either House of the General Assembly of New Zealand any Act, Ordinance, or Bill ; save and except Bills for the Appropriation of the Revenue, for the space of years.

PENALTY.

111. Any person violating, attempting to violate, or inciting others' to violate the foregoing prohibition, "shall be deemed Guilty of .a First Class Misdemeanour, and be punishable accordingly.

HOW ACT MAY BE PUT IN FORCE.

IV. Should the progress of this Act through either branch of the Legislature be cut short by reason of the violent paroxysm of the mania aforesaid, then it shajl be lawful to submit the matter for final decision to the "will of the people," by means of a plebiscite, similar to the now memorable one taken by a famous ex- Superintendent, and a very celebrated Treasurer in the Province of Otago : And it is further enacted, that in the event of the " will of the people," ascertained as heretofore provided, being in favor of the " ayes," this Act should then be considered good and valid law, after the illustrious precedent above recited, all the authority of the first recited " General Assembly of New Zealand being ignored notwithstanding.