UPPER HOUSE REFORM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18585, 20 December 1934, Page 5

UPPER HOUSE REFORM

IMPORTANT TEST CASE PRIVY COUNCIL DECISION (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. A caso of importance to the whole Empire wa% how Mr. D. Maughan, a leading Sydney barrister, described the recent hearing before the Privy Council in England of the appeal by the Labor politician, Mr. J. T. Lang, regarding the rejection by the Supreme Court of New South Wales of his suit in equity to have the re form of the Upper House in the State Parliament declared ultra vires.

Mr. Maughan arrived at Auckland by tho Rangitata. He is on his way back to Sydney after appearing for the Government of New South Wales during the hearing of the appeal. Two years ago, Mr. Maughan appeared for the Upper House before the Privy Council when Mr, Lang attempted to abolisli this legislative chamber without a referendum.

More recently, Mr. Lang had attacked the scheme of the Premier, Mr. B. Stevens, for the reform of the Upper House, hut in the Supreme Court action judgment was given against him. He tnereupon appealed to the Privy Council, his appeal being handled by Mr. A. C. Piddington, K.C., while Mr Maughan was briefed for the State Government. After hearing argument, the Privy Council disallowed the appeal. “Tho case is responsible .for the declaration of the right of a Government to reform legislative chambers,” Mr. Maughan sau- “As such it is of great, constitutional importance.”