QUEENSLAND POLITICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13557, 7 November 1907, Page 5

QUEENSLAND POLITICS.

A REVOLUTIONARY SUGGESTION. ABOLITION OF THE SECOjND, " ' CHAMBER. « A CIRCULAR FROM THE* PREMIER By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. BRISBANE, November 6. • A sensation was created in political circles at Mr Kidston,' the Premier, sending a tetter to the Labour Party with reference to the Legislative Cquncil rejecting certain measures and amending others of ah allegedly progressive character. *.He says the action of the Council in rejecting the Elections Bill, and its undisguised hostility to all progressive legislation, compels the Government to consider what action is necessary to deal with the obstruction. ' "The time will come," he says, "when we will be forced 1 to ask ourselves whether we are willing to permit the political prejudices of a few nominees to continue to override the wishes of the, representatives of the people' This has become a mqst important question in Queensland politics, and on its satisfactory solution rests the 'hope of democratic progress in Queensland.* There is only one practical way of dealing with the* Council,: and before attempting it' the Government must be in a position to understand the strength of the 'Assembly r Unfortunately theN Government is not in such a position at •present. Whilst the support received ■from the Labour Party this session has been sufficient for the ordinary work of the Assembly, it is wholly inadequate to the work we are now called upon to face. An**indispensable preliminary to effective action is to demonstrate that the Government has behind it& policy a large and determined majority." Mr Kidston then suggests an agreement that both parties accept the Government programme and pledge themselves to stand by the Government in their struggle with the Council, and that in the event of an appeal to the. country becoming necessary to obtain the desired a joint committee bo appointed to manage the election, nei^ ther party to contest any seats now held by any member of either party; where tho joint committee puts up a candidate/ both parties are id support him. The letter is. being discussed at 'caucus meetings of the Government and Labour Parties. ; mm^mm,——————i^—qw—l - - J