The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1883.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1149, 15 September 1883, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1883.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Two or three years ago when Mr Hall (now Sir John) was Premier he made a speech at Leeston, in the course qf which lie announced that it was the indention of, the to alter the constitution of the Legislative Council. People were disappointed when no attempt was made in the direction indicated during the session which succeeded .Sic John’s speech, and no reference.was made-to the matter until after his resignation and* the reconstruction of the present Cabinet, When questioned, the hew Ministry gave such answers as led the public to believe that i they had no intention of effecting a [ change, and, as if to give more positive [ assurance that tliey Would not interfere, with the Council, they appointed a few ~ .more ‘ lords,’ some of whom were old- ! ■ • 'V ... . ! * ! ■ fogeys, verging on the ‘ second childhood ’ stage of existence. When Major Atkinson was questioned on these appointments by his constituents a short time before Parliament assembled in June last, his answers were such as led to the belief that the Council stood in no immediate danger, but the Governor’s speech a week or two afterwards, told a different tale altogether. The constitution of the Legislative Council required to be remodelled, and of course the Ministers were the men to doit. There.was never a stronger Ministry in the Parliament of New Zealand ; from first to last they were masters of the situation, but they never attempted to introduce the Bill to,change the constitution ofthe Upper House until a day or two before the close of the session. It seems to us that the gingerly way in which the Ministers have been coquetting with the question indicates that they are far from being sincere in the matter. The proposal contained in tho Bill now under consideration, is that one-half of the Council shall remain as it is, while the other half shall retire by ballot, and the seats of those who have: retired are to be tilled by members elected on the Hare principle. Every man who has a vote for election, to the Lower House can .vote tor a. .member of the Upper Hou so,* and the duration of time for I

which the Upper House shall be elected is ten years, ‘ Manhood suffrage ’ and the ‘ Hare system ’ of election are extremely democratic ideas, but we do not agree with either of them being employed, for the election of Legislative Councillors. We would even risk ‘ our bottom ’ dollar that there is not one man. in the Ministry who believes in them either. The proposals lack the brand of sincerity, they have been submitted for political purposes with the view of conciliating the multitude by making them believe that they will have a voice- in the election of New Zealand ' Lords. The Hare system is bad for the very reason that none but known politicians would stand the slightest chance of election. Manhood suffrage is unsuitable inasmuch as chat the functions of the Upper House is chiefly to conserve, the interests of the rich. And then why should half the Council be called upon to retire and the other half be allowed to remain in office ? Are we to suppose that it is because it is necessary' to, keep some of the old and experienced veteians in their seats so as to train up the new ones in the way they should go, If this is the object in view, it is scarcely complimentary to the present Council. It is as much as to say ‘ they are all such ■ useless, senseless, worthless old fossils that’not one of them would be elected, so it is necessary to keep on some of the old hands to show the new ones what to do.’ If this is the case the sooner they are all ousted the better but we do not believe that it is. We bedieve that a large number’ of them would be elected, and it would be better to turn all of them loose at once, than make fish of one and flesh of another. THE COUNTY COUNCIL The dispute between the Geraldine and Ashburton - Oouuty Councils oyer the, Rangitata Bridge has at ,last reached a climax. At last Wednesday’s meeting of the Ashburton Council a communication, from the Geraldine Couneil was read intimating that two engineers had , been appointed to report on the bridge, whereupon Mr Bullock said that the Geraldine Council had had ample time to settle the matter, but they had only talked about outside opinion being obtained after legal proceedings were mentioned, and moved the following resolution—‘That this Council hereby authorises the Chairman to affix the seal of the body corporate to a warrant to the Council’s solicitor to sue the Chairi i ■ . man, councillors and inhabitants of the County of Geraldine in an action in the Supreme Court of New Zealand for the recovery of the moneys owing by the County of Geraldine to,the County of Ashburton on account of the Rangitata bridge extension, and generally to do all acts and things which may be necessary or expedient for instituting and carrying on legal proceedings for the recovery of the said moneys.” Mr Wright in seconding the resolution said he was of opinion that immediate legal action should be taken. The Geraldine County Council had continually resorted to all kinds of excuses, and if further parleying were permitted ■it would be in a sense acknowledging that this Council was wrong. The motion 4 was , carried unanimously, with the additioni that the Chairman be empowered to take any further, action ho may deem fit. We thought it advised the Council to pay the money and be done with it, and the result of not haying done so will be considerable expense. At the opening of the bridge thp County* Chairman intimated his willingness to pay, and at every meeting since then he has persistently advocated the same line of action. But his adyice was disregarded, and the result is that unless they settle the matter at once the Council wpl be involved in a heavy lawsuit. Now let us suppose that the lawsuit resulted favorably, what would be the effect. Would the Geraldine County ratepayers pat the councillors on the back for Laving wriggled out of the payment of a just debt. We mistake the character of the ratepayers very much if .thqy would care to have it.said that they had not paid the debt lawfully due by them. We do not think they would like to be pointed out as soon as they passed the Rangitata: as ‘ inhabitants of the County of Geraldine, 1 who resorted to legal technicalities to get out of paying their share of ' constructing the, ; Bridge.’ There, are many men in this district who for.several times the amount they would have to pay as their share of the liability would not be thus pointed out, and we hazard the opinion that, if the question wore put to the vote ninetenths of the ratepayers would be in favor of paying the money at once.

The County Chairman is, if we mistake not, the biggest ratepayer in the County, and would consequently hare to pay more than any one else. With characteristic spirit he is willing to pay his share at once. We have consulted many ratepayers on the subject, we have sounded them with the view of ascertaining whether we were in accord with public opinion in advocating the payment of this money, with the result that we have not spoken to one man who held different views. We consequently feel that we represent public opinion fairly in asserting that the rstepayeis object to being mulcted in law costs over the matter ; that they are willing to have a rate levied for the purpose of paying off the debt, and that the people prefer paying to having to bear the odium of having wriggled out of it on technical grounds. But we cannot believe that the Council will be so obstinate as to let the matter go farther. Ifthey do we should suggest the advisability of the. voice of the ratepayers in each road district being taken, and the question decided as to whether the people are ready to pay or not. ■ *