COUNCIL REFORM
THE ELECTIVE SYSTEM POSTPONED PRIME MINISTER GIVES REASONS . ELECTORAL REFORM FORECASTED Tho Legislative Oounoil met at 10.30 turn, on Saturday. ' The local Bills passed by tho House of Representatives were received, read a first time, and referred to the Local Bills Committee for consideration. All were favourably reported upon, and were passed through all stages without amend- . ment. METHODIST TRUST BILL. ° The Wellington Methodist Charitable and Educational Trusts Bill was received from tho Lower House and put through all its stages without amendment. POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTIONS, The Parliamentary Elections Postponement Bill was received from the Lower House. ■ x - 1 SIR JItANCTS BELL, in moving the • second reading, said it would not be possible to hold a real election during the existence of tho National Cabinet as at present constituted. The two parties could not be united in the Cabinet-room and separated on the platform. The party organisations must necessarily be quiescent while the National Cabinet existed.' ■ The absence of . the soldiers at the front was another reason why the elections should be postponed. Some of' those who wero away would perhaps be desirous of themselves standing for elec, tion. Even supposing that peace wero declared this year—whioh he did not in any way anticipate—it would be _open to - Parliament next year to- review this .legislation.. 1 ' The Hon. J. T. PAUL' said he opposed the Bill largely' because ho did not see the necessity of- passing, it at this time. If Parliament could review this legislation next yew, why pass it now? Why not leave it to bB passed then P. He thought it would be advisable on general ; lines to maSe Parliaments last for a - longer .time than three years, but . his views on that point did not induce him to favour this Bill in our present circumstances. Tho Bill was read a second time and put through all its stages without amendment. IBs Council adjourned till 11 o'clook ■ this morning.
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2843, 7 August 1916, Page 7
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324COUNCIL REFORM Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2843, 7 August 1916, Page 7
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