THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1746, 10 May 1913, Page 3

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

' Sir,—ls it not timo the Prime Jfinistpr was taking the country into his confidenco as to the steps neoessary to ensure tho passing next session of legislation for tho reform of the Council? As tto proposed reform would bo an amendment oi tho Constitution Act, it would neeil (if it i.s to have effecJt at th,e next general election) to l>o passed next session, so that it may receiye his Majesty's ,assent in time, for any reform left until 1914 would be useless for four years after. The Prime Minister must havo a very fair idea of the additional votes in the Legislative Council requisite to ensure tho passn'ng of the necessary measure, and although any new appointments would bo for seven years, the new appointees might bo depended on to resign for election so as not to continue the nomine-e system any longer thaa necessary. The present Council having declined to pass a Bill reducing the term of future appointments to three years (as the House of Representatives resolved), the. new appointments would be for seven years, but probably with the understanding that so long would not intervene before tho appointees sought election under the proposed amendment of the Constitution Act. The Prime Minister has no doubt a sufficient number of public-spirited men in view 'to carry but tho desired ■ leforin in the manner indicated. He cannot risk anotheT rebuff from the Chamber as at present constituted.—l am, etc., A REFORMER.