The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1887. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1714, 18 November 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1887. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

The adjourned debate on the question of reform of the Council on the lines laid down m the motion brought forward by Sir F. Whitaker a week previously wa3 resumed on Thursday, when contrary to anticipation, the motion was dealt with directly instead of being disposed cf by a side wind. The result was, however, just what ninety-nine persons out of a hundred, who have watched our Parliamentary proceedings for any considerable number of years, would have expected — a refusal to initiate any self-imposed system of reform. The debate was resumed by the Hon Mr Mantell who tabled the following amendment which was accepted by the Attorney-General as a substantive motion : — " To omit all vroids after * that ' down to * the mover,' with a view to insert the words 1 a Select Committee be appointed by ballot to consider and report upon the question whether or not the number of members of this Council should be reduced to one half of the number cf the House of Representatives, and if so, as to the best plan by which such reduction can be effected." Mr Mantell remarked that personally he had no objection to a reduction m the number of members, but thought that if the matter were referred to a Select Committee it would meet the views of the Council. It is somewhat remarkable that the general tone of the speeches of the honorable Councillors, who spoke to the question, was one of opposition to reform and an expression of opinion that such reform was not wanted by the country, but was a matter which rested entirely with the Government of the day. The Hon Mr Hart made a practical suggestion to the effect that no further appointment to the Council should be made until, by death or resignation, the number of members bad been reduced to 35 and that after that no further appointments should be made unless with the consent of four-fifths of the House of Representatives. This, it strikes us, is about; as far, m ft* direction, of 3

reducion of the number of members! of tte Council, as ihe Special Committet will allow themselves to go. It is vey evident that of their own free will, they refuse to have their number reducd. The only reduction they will recogiise is that caused by death or resigiation. In the matter of honorarium however, they are not quite so inexoable. as more than one member, m the course of the debate, intimated that Ihey considered that members of Coun:il were not put to such inconvenieice or expense as were the meraters of the House of Representatives. We may, therefore, feel pretty certah that the Government will accept the swings to be effected m this direction and the gradual reduction, by death or resignation, of the number of mem»ers as being about the best, if not lie only, possible scheme of reform of th« Legislative Council.