THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 22, 26 July 1893, Page 2

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir, — As the political mind of this and the neighbouring Colonies is more or less stirred upon the question of an " Upper House," will you kindly afford me an opportunity of broaching the subject in the hope of eliciting opinions. I would make the following suggestions : — 1. That there shall continue, to be an Upper House in New Zealand. 2. That such House shall be elective and shall consist of say 40, or any lesser number of members. 3. That all members of the college of electors (if I may so call it) shall be eligible for election to the Upper House. 4. That the electorate, or college of electors, shall consist of the following persons : (n). All members and ex-members of both Houses of Parliament, (b). All those persons whom the Government of the day shall select, and whose names shall be placed upon the roll of the college of electors ; such number to be fixed by Statute, and the number so fixed to be added to the roll in every Parliamentary year, but so that the ratio of the total number of members of the Upper House shall not at any time exceed that which subsists with regard to the Lower House in the like case. (5). The members shall hold office for 3, 5, 7, or such other number of years as may be determined upon. (6). At the end of every three years and, upon every dissolution of Parliament for political reasons, the Upper House shall "ballot out" a certain number of its members ; such number to be fixed by Statute, immediately after which an election shall be held, under warrant of the Speaker of the Upper House, of persons who shall fill the vacancies so caused. From this sketch I think it will appear that the following benefits would accrue to the country in the event of its adoption : — (c), A fair amount of continuity in the personnel of the Upper House, (il). A gentle and regular infusion of new blood. (<•). A mild and diluted "colouring" (political) which shall wax and wane according to the popularity or otherwise of each successive Ministry, i.e., the duration of their i enure of office. (/). "Touch" will be reasonably kept with the people owing to the pressure on the electorate of members and ex-members of the House of Representatives, whp have in their day successfully fought their several contested elections. I need not here dilate upon the mode of election nor the manner of voting, which might be made very simple. These are matters of detail, and to go into particulars with regard to them would only needlessly burthen your valuable space. I am, etc., C. L. Maclean.