THE UPPER HOUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 108, 8 May 1936, Page 6

THE UPPER HOUSE

that a real live issue is before the country in the Primary Produce, Marketing Bill, and the Government is hurrying it through Parliament before, those who are vitally interested have either been able to consider their position or examine the proposals very closely, the question arises as to what is the function of the Legislative Council in such circumstances. It. lias been often declared that the function of the Legislative Council is tliaf of a delaying and revising Chamber. It is Intended to lie a brake on the wheel then the pace is too speedy. When if operates against hasty legislative action it-justifies its existence. If it does not fulfil such a function, then the desirability of maintaining it diminishes considerably. There is no reason, to assume that the Legislative Council will fail to function if it deems the circumstances to warrant action on its part, AVhat are the circumstances wliieli would provide the Upper Chamber with such a warrant? Certainly there would be no warrant for interference to bring about any delay in the passing of a Government measure if the people interested are apathetic towards the proposals contained in the Bill under consideration. For instance, if the dairy farmers, who as yet have not been consulted concerning the Primary Produce Marketing Bill, remain inarticulate concerning the whole business, then the Legislative Council could not appropriately step in and request the Government first to refer the whole proposal to the industry most vitally concerned. Ou the other hand, if the dairy farmers, after proper discussion among themselves, come to the conclusion that the end which the Government desires to be served will not so be, then if they express their views appropriately, the Government should listen to their objections, and if the Government fails in this, then the Upper Chamber would be perfectly justified in forcing the Government to take, that action before the Legislative Council gave its assent to the measure. It first has to be determined whether the dairy farmers want the measure, and if they do. then they can make that point clear. On such being evidenced, the matter would be simplified without Legislative Council action. If, on the other hand, the dairy farmers make it clear that, they dissent from the whole proposition. or any part of it, then the Legislative Councillors could not very well assent to the measure until the objections of the dairy farmers had been removed.