PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 68, 25 July 1913, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY, JULY 24,

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, July 24 The Council met at 2.30.

the council reform bill. The Hon. J. R. Sinclair resumed the debate on the second reading of fcho Legislative Council Bill. He would rather see the Bill lost than accept it in that form. He proposed that the Council should be half elective and half nominative. In the very nature of things an elective body could not truly perform the functions of a second chamber, which was to revise and check hasty 1 gislation. Ho contended that tiie Council could not safely be elected from the same jbonst'itueucies as the .an<| ; quoted precedents to siW’thaUall modern constitutions wore framed on a widely •ttWBWs •• 'bhUih' 1 'dlection of second chambers. He doubijed the efficiency cf the proportional jsystfcul' of representation. The ticket| system suck election■. A check should put upon‘l’io use of motor carsin campaigns, and canvassing should be

prohibited. The Hon. G. Jones said that anyone voting for the Bill signed the death warrant of the Council, and confessed that its constitution was unsatisfactory. The Council was just died in rejecting the Bill last year, because the present measure was vastly different. , , If, .prop(prtioPf L representation applied to the Council jfod not to the House, the Council must have power of ,th« pursf/. being elected by a superior franchise. The debat'd was adojurned on the motion of the Hon. W. C. F. Cam-

cross, and the Council rose at 4.30,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Last Night, The, House met at 2.30.

PREMIUM BONDS

The Premium Bonds Validation Bill (Mr Harris) was read a second time pm forma. A motion to refer it to a special committee raised criticism from the Opposition that the system of premium bonds was a pernicious swindle and was a worse gamble than Tattersalls. Mr A. McCallum moved an amendment that the Bill be referred to the Public Accounts Committee.

On a division, Mr McCallum’s amendment resulted in rejection by 40 to 21 and a committee was set up.

DAYLIGHT SAVING

Mr T. K. Sidey moved the second reading of the Definition of Time Bill (daylight saving). The Bill this year is modified, being made applicable only during November, December, and January. The House divided on the for the second reading, which was carried by 36 to 23.

GAMING' ACT AMENDMENT,

Mr T. M. Wilford moved the second reading of the Gaming Amendment Bill, giving power. to iperease the number of totalisator permits,

At 11.30 the adjournment of the debate was moved by Mr Young.

Mr Wilford protested against the motion as a Government attempt to gag the House giving an expression on the Bill because the Prime Minister had promised to give the member for Waipawn an oportunity to introduce his amendment to the Gaming Act.

The adjournment was carried on the voices, and the Rouse rose at 11.40.