COUNCIL’S RIGHTS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1932, Page 6

COUNCIL’S RIGHTS

PRIVILEGES GUARDED

COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED

WELLINGTON, April 13

All matters affecting the privileges of the 'Legislative Council are to be referred to a committee which was set up by the Council yesterday. Sir Francis Bell moved to pet a Committee of Privileges to which might he referred all matters affecting the privileges of the Council. Ho said that he took the action because 0 f the conglomerate nature of legislation likely to come before the Council and the possibility of questions of privilege arising. 7he time had come when the Council should take steps to maintain the privileged enjoyed bv tho„ House of Lords. The Hon. J. A. Hanan seconded the motion. He said that in abnormal times, there was likely to he a lack of cool and considered judgment and the Council might well prove to he tho bulwark of the people’s just rights. The leader of the Council, Sir James Parr, took no exception to the motion and said that the committee was likely to prove of great assistance. It was well that the Council should he jealous of its privileges. The motion was carried

The Speaker, Sir Walter Carncross then expressed his satisfaction at the action of the Council. He said that he had often been in difficulty ad to whether Bills were money Bills or not and he would welcome the assistance of the committee.