The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity WELLINGTON, OCT. 18, 1916. DIRECT LEGISLATION.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 256, 18 October 1916, Page 9

The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity WELLINGTON, OCT. 18, 1916. DIRECT LEGISLATION.

The fact that several Australian States have closed their hotel bars at 6 p.m. by a Referendum, has led many New Zealand women (so grievously disappointed after all their hard work) to look more closely at the Referendum as a political possibility. We know that had the question been referred to the electors here they would have done as Australia has done. And we are driven to question why a few legislators, elected before liquor restriction became the burning question this war has made it, should be able to flout the will of the people as has been done here. Moreover, why should these same legislators, elected by the people for three years only, have the right to calmly lengthen their term of othce without consulting the people?

Women police have for some time been demanded by a large majority of our voters. Still docs a Conservative Minister, with the obstinacy characteristic of a narrow mind and restricted outlook, refuse to grant the request of an enlightened public. W e have to bear in mind this fac t. Many of our legislators are elected on the principle of out of several evils choose the least. Men are in the House, even in the Ministry, not because the electors wanted them as representatives, but because the other candidate was even worse. Who cannot recall electorates where no candidate tood who really represented the educated, thinking women of that electorate? Surely, when we are often so badly represented in Parliament, we should study the method of direct legislation, and ask if it would not be an improvement on present conditions. The Initiative and Referendum have b< en adopted in 20 of the United States, and in 21 out of the 22 Cantons of Switzerland. Under the Initiative, if the people want to propose a new law, they send up a petition. If the petition is sufficiently large, the proposition is submitted to the popular vote, and if carried, becomes law.

Under the Referendum a law pa>srd by Parliament can be vetoed by th< people. If a petition sufficiently large is filed protesting against an Act of Parliament, and calling for a Referendum upon it, the question submitted to the voters, and if voted against becomes null and void. The Initiative gives the people power to compel Parliament to pass a new law. The Referendum allows them to veto a law they do not desire. Direct legislation prevents lobbying, and hinders big interests from cajoling or bribing members to pass a law which the people can veto. A few wealthy brewers and their stellites may wield the lash of a “solid liquor vote” over the heads or members, and purchase votes to save their traffic from the just resentment of an indignant people, but that people < an demand a Referendum and veto the laws a subservient House passed at the bidding of the liquor ring; or by the Initiative the people can demand that a vote be taken to restrict the traffic, and do it in spite of all the bribery and corruption the liquor trade trade can bring.