LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 602, 13 September 1913, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE. IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS [NY TKlJXntAl'll. —I'BESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. The special committee set up to consider how tho constitution of the Legislative Council could shortly *e changed brought down a report this afternoon. The report is voluminoUß, hut it contains a resolution carried by 5 to 4 that it is expedient the number of European Councillors be limited to the present rumber, and thßt all vacancies as they occur be filled by election by members of the Council and of the Housa of Representative* by ballot; that in tho opinion of the committee the coming into operation of Hie Act if passed should ba deferred until after the next general election. The committee racommend that the Bill now before the Council be amended so bb to bring into conformity with the Fill in the appendix to the report. This Bill provides that any person eligible for re-election to the House may be elected to tho Council saving r. member Hitting in the Hou3B. The candidates must be nominate! by two members of either House; vote shall ba by ballot, ani the election shall take place within fourteen days after the nominations close. In case of equality of votes the clerk will determine tho reßult by lot. Provision is made that the Councillors who retire on October lGth shall all continue in office until December 22nd next; of 12 who retire on January 22nd, 11)14, three shall continue in office until February 22nd. then retire; three shall continue in office until March 22nd, then retire; and the remainder'shall continue in office until April 22nd, Dnd then retire. Tho o.'der in which the retirement take place sha'l be determined by lot. The term of election shall be seven years. A member of the Executive Council may be summoned to the Council at any time. The relations of the. two House on the subject oil msny Bills is defined by part 2 o f tho Bill. The Council cannot originate laws appropriating revenue or money, or imposing taxation. The Council may not amend a money Bill, but may return them to the House for amendment. If a money Bi'l is sent up to the Council one week before the end of a session, I and not passed by the Council within : one vmuk lb" Bill shall unless the House direct;? to the contrary, become mi Ai-t of r.-M-lirt'ii'T.l. "!i Hie Covrrnor I f:iviii|r hit" aiT-vnt.