The Waipukurau Press. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1934. THE UPPER HOUSE.

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 89, 10 April 1934, Page 4

The Waipukurau Press. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1934. THE UPPER HOUSE.

We do not agree with all of the conclusions reached by the ex-Hon. Edward Newman, C.M.G., our main point of difference being that the appointments to the Legislative Council are of party origin and not based solely on superiority of qualification for service in the nominated body of which Mr. Newman was for a lengthy period a worthy member; but in some particulars he makes a good case against an elective system—notably the cost of campaigning over a large area of grouped electorates. The advantages of a nominated Upper House were pointed out by Mr. Newman, when discussing the value of the Legislative Council as a revising chamber, in the course of a recent speech at Marton. Mr. Newman has served in the two chambers of the New Zealand Legislature. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1908 to 1922, and of the Legislative Council from 1923 to 1930. Mr. Newman frankly admitted that he himself had once supported an elective Upper House, but that he had since changed his mind. “It is a matter for sincere congratulation that there is no question of abolishing tn» second chamber in New Zealand,” he said. “I am more proud to ba\o belonged to th? Legislative Council than to the House of P.e.precentatives. The Legislative Council is different from the other cm7r.-r.er in one particular "point,” he said. “The

members have no constituents to give ,-easons to, and they do ret talk. Most of the work is done in commit-

tee. with no Press represent-,Hi m present. Sc the Legislative Council confines itself to work. Speaking with my experience of both chambers, I may say that the Statues .Revision Committee of the second chamber is the most valuable link in the legislative machinery of this country. With no personal feelings and without party bias, I feel proud when I think of the public spirit, absence of party prejudice, and devotion to duty of the Legislative Council. There, the work is done entirely free from any other motive but the good of the country.” Air. Newman added that the necessity of a second chamber'

I was recognised in other countries, including every British dominion, as well as America and France. Although he had once voted for an elective Upper House, he said he had changed his mind. "With all its faults it is better for the good of the country to have a nominated and not an elective system,” he said, pointing out that if an elective House was decided upon, the present electorates of Rangitikei, Manawatu, Otaki and Wanganui would probably elect one representative. "What chance, under those circumstances, would a poor but able man have of gaining a seat where an., election would cost probably double what it costs at present?” he asked.

MORE HUMANE? Commenting on the electrical stunning, the "Otago Daily Times” says: “The electric power and lighting department of the Dunedin City Corporation in its search for new avenues for the expansion of electric power consumption has turned its attention to pigs. Whether the pigs are fortunate or unfortunate in this respect only the pigs themselves can decide, but it would seem that the slaughter-house staff of the city abattoirs at least will benefit from the introduction of modern methods into the killing of pigs. "For the first time, the stunning of pigs by electricity, prior to sticking, was tried out at the abattoirs with conspicuous success last week. By the use of an electrically changed apparatus which resembles a giant pair of pincers, pigs destined for the curing vat or the hooks can be rendered unconscious in a moment. The pincers are placed on the top of the head, a clamp behind each ear, and the shock of the electricity effects the prostration of the pig for at least ten minutes. Producing a whiter carcase, free from blemishes such as occu r where the old. system of stunning and sticking is in operation, it is to be hoped that other freezing works and

abattoirs will also take steps to introduce this electrical stunning method.” The method should prove much more humane than the usual system of butchery. <.