NOTHING NEW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10536, 10 August 1912, Page 6

NOTHING NEW.

AN ELECTIVE UPPER HOUSE. [Feom Oca CoaEESPOKDKNi.] WELLINGTON, August 10. In connection with/the latest development in regard to the reform of the Legislative Council by the introduction of the elective principle, the Rev J. J. North, of Wellington, revives an interesting bit of history. He points out that the first constitution for New Zealand was drafted in England, and passed by the English Parliament and. sent to the Governor (Sir George Grey) for immediate publication. Sir George saw at a glance that the constitution suspended the Waitangi Treaty, and would embroil the authorities hopeles*ly with the Natives, and he took the bold step of suspending it on his own authority. Sir Robert Peel; recognised the urgency of Sir George Grey a objections, and requested _ that'the Governor should transmit his ideas of a Constitution for New Zealand to London. Sir George Grey went up to Ruapehu, and there, in a gypsy tent, attended only by a few Maoris, drew up the momentous document. The* authorities in London approved- of it with one modification, on which they insisted, and which Sir Geoj-fie as*fwards pronounced to be a vital wowog. He had'made both Houses elective: the English modifications made the Upper House nominative. " We are now, after all theae years," points out Mr North, " going back to Sir George Grey's first suggestion."