ABOLITION OF SENATE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20285, 20 April 1934, Page 1

ABOLITION OF SENATE.

Mr de Valera Attacked as “ Dictator.” United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copj'right. LONDON, April 18. Mr de Valera, when moving the second reading of the Senate Abolition Bill, said that the Senate, a non-repre-sentative chamber, prevented the representative House from carrying out the will of the people. The Senate, said Air de Valera, had been opposed to every major measure brought forward since the Fianna Fail took office, though it had not previously done so. A cheaper and more useful revising house could be provided, if necessary. The members of the Dail were the best judges of what the people wanted. Mr Cosgrave opposed the Bill as interfering with the independence of the judiciary. Its enactment would give the constitution a death blow. The pretext of expenditure was invalid, because the Government had spent in one day on the Anglo-Irish economic dispute what would keep the Senate for a year. Mr O’Sullivan said that Air de Valera was drifting towards a dictatorship. The Bill had been introduced because his majesty, president and emperor de Valera was piqued. Dr O’Higgins said that the Government wanted the Senate to be merely a body of “Yes men.” Mr Alorton announced that Labour would support the Bill, The debate was adjourned.