The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1897. THE COLONIES AND THE REFERENDUM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 26 November 1897, Page 17

The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1897. THE COLONIES AND THE REFERENDUM.

IERE is every indication that before many years are past the provision for a poll of the people on political questions, which is known as the Referendum, will be adopted as part of their legislative machinery by almost the whole of the Australasian colonies. During the last parliamentary year no less than five of the colonial Parliaments were occupied in discussing Referendum Bills, and in four of them these Bills were Government measures. In New Zealand the Bill was afc first fathered by a private member (Mr. O'Regan), but it has now been taken under the patronage of the Government. Though, owing to the lateness of the session and the amount of absolutely necessary work which yet remains to be got through, the measure may be shelved for this year, it is bound sooner or later to be adopted by the Legislature. The Bill, as introduced in previous sessions, was entitled v An Act to refer to the Electors of the Colony certain Motions or Bills for their decision," and provided not only for a referendum when the two Houses should disagree, but also that both Houses might by a resolution submit any motion or Bill to the vote of the electors. If a measure should have twice passed the Lower House and should have been twice rejected by the Upper House, or should have been amended in such a way as to amount to a virtual rejection, or if the other House should fail to pass or reject the Bill within a certain time, then it was open to the Lower House to pass a resolution submitting* the measure to the referendum. It was also provided that, if a Bill be negatived at the polls, the question shall not fee brought up again for three years, " unless 10,000 citizens should demand it." It was further provided that both Houses might decide to refer a question to the people, in which case the people were only to be consulted on a general motion or resolution, not on an Act of Parliament. Should the answer be an affirmative one, the duty of at once preparing a Bill to give effect to such proposal devolves upon the Colonial Secretary, and the Bill must be brought in within ten days of the opening of the next session of Parliament. No new machinery h needed in order to apply the referendum, that already existing being amply sufficient for the purpose. It is the duty of the Governor, on being notified that a measure is to be submitted to the referendum, to publish the law in the Gazctl" and to fix a date for the popular vote to be taken. The vote is taken in precisely the same way as in the case of a general election. There are the same writs, returning officers, polling places and penalties. The ballon papers contain the name of the Bill or the terms of the motion and the words "For" and "Against." If the voter wishes to support the Bill he strikes out the word "Against"; if he wishes to oppose it, the word "For" is struck out. Should a majority vote in favour of the Bill it is to become law on a date to be named by the Governor by proclamation, and in the New Zealand Bill there is no provision requiring the Governor's assent to the measure. The Referendum is essentially, and in the best sense of the _ expression, a democratic measure, and as both parties in the country now profess to " trust the people,'' the measure should receive hearty support from both sides of the House. The advantages attaching to this poll of the people are sufficiently obvious. In the first place it is a valuable check on hasty and class legislation. As we know by painful experience the representatives of the people may bedecehed or corrupted, and may thus entirely misrepresent or betray their constituents. Moreover, they may be really mistaken as to the wishes of their constituents, or

important legislation may be introduced during the session as to which the constituencies have not had an opportunity of expressing their mind. Tn such <i case it would be easily possible to curry a bill which might be entirely opposed to the wishes of the people, and the Referendum, which enables not only either House but also 3 0,000 ordinary citizens to demand that a poll bo tak^n, supplies an effectual remedy against such an over-riding of the popular will. In the second place, the Referendum furnishes a means of effectually settling the dilFionlties so often experienced in connection with the Upper House. Whether or noi ii wiil ultimately lead to Lhe abolition of the second eh imber is a question which it is not necessary now to di^jvr^. It is sufficient to note that the Referendum would prevent even the possibility of a deadlock between the two Houses, and the provision in the New Zealand Bill will make it absolutely impossible also for the Upper House to continually and persistently thwaro the plainly expressed will of the popular chamber. Finally, the Referendum is in entire harmony with the genius of our constitution and with the democratic spirit of the age. Already, if important legislation, on which the constituencies have never had an opportunity of expressing their opinion, be introduced during any session. "-it is recognised as being entirely within the pro ince of the Upper House to withhold its assent until an appeal shall have been made to the country on the question. This is in reality a roundabout and clumsy form of relerendnm, and the adoption of a direct poll of the people is merely the application of the same principle in a more simple and effective way. The truth is that there must exist in every constitution some authority which has the power to impose a final veto, and to which the ultimate appeal must be made, and what can be more fitting in a democracy than that that power should be placed, as it is by m^ansof the Referendum, directly in the hands of the great mass of the people.

The Most Rev. Dr. Verdon completed his % imitation of the Gore district on Tuesday and returned to town by the eveningexpress. Full particulars of the visitation will appoar in next week's i&sue.

In order to find room for arrears of correspondence we have baen compelled t j hold over our iis-axl story and simi general reading m itter. The balk of t'io corra-? ■xridjuv. wliijli was luLl over tiom last v r eck appears on pa^c-. ~2.\ and 2~>.

T\VO young la-liVs ?ttrnilin<r tl:n High School. CoinoiiL <f Mercy. Colombo street. ] a-^c.l the r< cent Cant lbury Colkiu elimination of music — Mi-s Florri'3 lie v 1, inteime li.ite i;iauo • Miss Alice Scott, junior grade.

Duuivcj the week we hive received parcel* o£ stamp-, tor Father Kreymborg's mission from the following Miss Sarah M'iCormiek, Dillman's Road. Kumura. and two parcels (names en senders not being given) from Waiau.

Wi: publi-h eVewhere the full text oi the sermon clelhercd by Archbishop Redwood ft Pontifical Vespers on tin- occasion of the opening of St. Pal rick's Cathedral. Mtlbonrne. The corr ■-pimdent of the Sydney I'm wan. v faring to the discourse, says- — '•The eloquent and gifted pulpit orator rivetted the attention of tx congregation which exceeded, if anything, the vast concourse of the morning ser\ice.

n *"" Tn c entertainment to bo giwn by the pupils of the Christian B'"oth >rs' School on Friday of next wejk, proiP'sjs to b j a rare treat. A mere glance at the comprehensho programme to be presented shows how entirely abreast of the time-; the Brother-* are in the department of what may be called school accomplishments as well as in the sphere of ordinary evory-day school work. In addition to ( lie usual musical items, consisting of solos, duets, and concur! Ed pieces by a specially-trained singing cla-s, there is to be a varied and interesting programme of gymnastic cxeivises. including musical drill, dumb-bells, wands, clubs, parallel bars, and tableaux. The dramatic portion of the entertainment comprises, amongst other items, two scenes from Shakespeare's "Julius Ciusar," and I hough this is a somewhat ambitious effort, we are quite sure that the boys will give a performance that will be creditable to themselves and worth}' of the high reputation of their teachers. Apait from the undoubted claim which the devoted Brothers have on the generous support of the Catholic people, the programme presented i- in it-elf sufiiciently attractive to draw a bumper house, and all who visiL the City Hall on Friday night can rely upon w itnc-wnjj a thoroughly enjoyable and thoroughly up-to-date entertainment.

Says the Melbourne Adraeuti of Xov. 11V — Last week wo gave a list of the donations received at tfie opening of the Cathedral,

which reached £7000. This week we are informed that since Sunday week no less a sum than £1300 has come to hand, making the offering to the Cathedral £S3OO. Much credit is due to the Rev. J. M'Carthy (Archbishop's secretary), Messrs. T. P. Carney, M. Moraane, Dr. A. L. Kenny, K.G.G., and other members of the _ building committee, for the successful manner in which the arrange" * nients connected with the opening of the Cathedral were carried oat.

The remains of the late Mr. John Russell (--ays the Tnanjalnta Tunes') were buried in the Ah.au-a cemetery on Monday, the Rev. Father Servajean oxidating- at the grave. There was a very rumerous attendance at the funeral testifying to the respect in which he was ht ld both in. town a,iid in Hie ouiuUiy. lie uriived in the colony from Australia about £.s or :SU years ago ; worked at his trade both at Xel-on and Reef ton, and was for some time with the late Mr. John Ruld before he started in business for himself at Ahaura. Owing to failing heath daring the last two or three years he had to dispo-e oc his property. Mr. lUv-sell leaves no relatives in the colony but a brother resides at Ararat, one brother at Draper's Town', Ireland, and two broth- r-j in the United States, all of them being blacksmith*.

A V/hst Coast ex-jh.ango gives the following extracts from the Government Inspector's reports of the Grej'mouth and Brunner Catholic <-cbcoK Both schools are tinder the charge of the Sisters of Mercy, Grey mouth, and the report tells its own tale las to the efficiency with which they are conducted : — The Brunner Catholic school was examined last week. The Inspector reports that the result of the examination is very satisfactory, there being only four failures. Sixty one children were presented. St. Patrick's and St. Mary's Convent schools were examined on Thursday and Friday last. The Inspector reports that the discipline of the schools and the manners of the pupils are excellent, that the progressive character of the work is most satisfactory, no subject showing such weakness as to en 11 for special comment, and that he is much pleased at the continued success of the pupils. 141 children were present at the examination, all of whom passed but six, which gives nearly 100 per cent of passes.

Lwr evening (says a Wellington exchange), after the meeting 1 of the Wellington branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, a presentation took place at Mr. Dealy's Railway Hotel. The branch, presented Mr. and Mrs. Dealy with a handsome clock, and Mr. Stephen Dealy with a case of silver-mounted pipes and cigar-holders, a; a token of regard for the kindness extended to the bunch w'nl-t holding its meetings at the, hotel ; it having been dvjj'l to hold future m^ctin^-. in a room at the railway station. I'hr- ; ii- -out '*i m was made by the chairman. Mr. W. Austin, who iv -liniii 1 tli' inembu'--. t'.i it tho iir-t meeting of the Wellington bi.un.ii was held in the R.ul.vay Hotel. Mr. James Dealy- responded, th inking the br inch on bjhalf of his wife, himself and brother, and w ishhij tho bran Ji o\ery tuocoso in tho future.

AxiMi'.cn of Alexandra gentlemen as.-embled at the Bendigo Hotel, Alexandra, on Tue-day evening, to welcome Mr. McAllen the now proprietor ; and at the same time present him with a gold watch, the gi f t of tVj resident-, of Lawrence. Amongst those present wore Messrs. Thejeis, Cards, River*, White, Murray, Kc'nian, Sutler. (Jruusione. Xiepcr, Rjan, Mill, Roberts, Ilutton, M'Calluin, J>cek, Uiohy: and amongst iho visitors were Messrs. Hozlett, Johnstone, and l'ursis (ot Duneelm), and Mr. H. Hart (of Lawrence). Mr. Jos. Rivers. .1 .P., was voted to the chair, and on behalf of the subscribers presented Mr. McAllen with a gold watch as a small token of the esteem he was held in throughoiTt the Lawrence district. Mr. McAllen, in a neat speech, thanked those present for their hearty welcome, and exprc^ed his sincere gratitude to the Lawrence people for their valuable gift. The watch and nood wishes he would always treasure as a memento of the five happy j' ears he hael spent among the people of Lawrence.

Says the Xew Plymouth Daily Xnci: — Mr. Lawrence Milmoe, of Ilawora. kindly save the lady boarders of the Convent an outing oa Tuesday, driving them in a four-in-hand to the breakwater where they visited the s.f. Mahinapua. They were then drive I round the town and suburbs, and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

The entertainment in aid of St. Joseph's building- fund, in Tanner's Hall on Monday ni^ht(.-ays the Waihi Joiner of the 13th iiifet.), was largely patronised by the public, who always anticipate with justice a first clas-s fare when the Catholics are the providers. ' Mr. If. L. Ilinks took the chair and made a few appropriate introductory lvumrkn, and then called on Miss Tower for the overture, a pianoforte solo, rendered with great skill and expression. " Ould Ireland" gained Miss Haekett an ovation, which was followed by '• lie hasn't been well since," a most amusing production, in which Mr. Montague showed elocutionary powers far above what we are used to. Our ever popular " Katie Fitzpatrick " could not fail to

bring down the house with " The carnival," but refused the inevitable encore. Mr. Stanley then gave >! The warrior bold " in fine , voice, and gave in response to an encore, " Home, boys, home." A most promising debutante is Miss Mary Nolan, whoso '-Castle garden " proved her the possessor of an exquisitely sweet voice ; as an encore she repeated the last verse. Miss Fitzpatrick's " Soldier's letter,"' was also encored, and she responded with '• Kitty Muldoon." Mr. Montague's " Whistler " was really capital, and Miss Playdal sang " Ever of thee " excellently. Xext came an amusing sketch, entitled "My turn next "' ; the ladies and gentlemen taking part in this proved far above the usual capacity of amateurs and brought a most successf ul entertainment to an appropriate close. Mr. Hinks, on b?half of Father Hackett, thanked all who had assisted, particularly the visiting contingent.

They seem to go in for enjoying themselves up Thames way. We learn fron the lo^.al Sen,' that a novel aid very interesting function by way of a'■ cake and basket " social eventuated in the Public Hall, Paninure, on Wednesday evening:, under the presidency of Monsignor McDonald, and was numerously attended, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. The spacious hall with its beautifully got up basket*, and sundry other other adornments, looked everything that could be desired. The baskets with their very tempting con touts were auctioned by an experienced officer, and the bidding was spirited in the extreme, some fetching the handsome figure of 7s Gd. This part of the evening's proceedings caused very great amusement. The string baud led by Mr. P. Quinlan contributed largely to the pleasure of the evening, and the kind artistes did full justice to their respective numbers on the wellselected programme as follows : — Trio, Mr. and Misses Quinlan ; song, Miss Kay ; song, comic, Mr. Skerrit ; song, Miss Swan ; pianoforte bolo, Miss Badley ; song, Miss M'Cormick ; song, comic, Mr. Skerrit ; song, Miss Swan ; vocal duet, Misses Badley. Another issue of the same paper contains the following : — A very enjoyable concert was given on Friday evening in Cairn's Hull, Ellerslie, under the patronage and presence of Jlonsignor McDonald. The hall was tastefully decorated with greeneries, lilies, etc., which gave it a most cheerful appearance, and the large audience failed not to accord well merited praise to the accomplished artistes who so kindly gave their valuable services on the occasion. The programme was a varied one and well rendered.