THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1930, Page 8

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

One of the first administrative acts ot the Forbes Government was the appointment of half a dozen members to the Legislative Council—one a Labour stalwart and the others prominent members of the United Parly. Since the appointments did not increase ihe numerical strength of the. chamber, death and effluxion of time having made vacancies, the Government’s action was quite justified. There are, of course, many people who think that the Upper House, should be abolished or fundamentally re-orgauised, but they would not suggest that it should simply be permitted to die out. A change in the constitution of Parliament would be a matter for positive action. If, as is sometimes urged, a much smaller body were appointed to revise the legislation passed by the House of Representatives the country might be all the better off in more ways than one; but until the measure necessary to that end is promulgated and passed the Legislative Council must be carried on in tire old way. The Government of the day naturally will continue o recommend appointees in order that the chamber may be kept at the recognised strength of "about forty members,” and ,\ust. as naturally it will adopt this means- of, rewarding its. faithful friends

for their cervices. But it would be a great pity if the present Government were to ignore entirely the very praiseworthy precedent laid down by its Reform predecessors. Both Mr. Massey and Mr. Coates displayed wisdom and magnanimity in appointing members who were not of the same political colour as themselves. One of these was Sir Robert Stout, whose seat is now vacant. There is thus afforded the United Government an admirable opportunity to return the compliment. The reappointment of Mr. Edward Newman, a prominent Reformer, whose term recently expired, would be a very graceful net on the part of the Government. That it would bo received with’ general approval cannot bo doubled, for Mr. Newman’s qualifications are widely known. He has a fine record of public service, and his counsel''certainly would aid the deliberations of tho second chamber.