LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 27, 2 October 1913, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1. Wellington, October 1

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL.

The Council went into committee on the Legislative Council Bill, and at tho suggestion of the Hon. F. H. I). Bell, clauses 2 and 8 were postponed so us to get to the crux of the Bill without delay. He further suggested that clause 9 he divided so as to affirm, (1) That the future councillors be elected and not nominated; (2) that the election be by the people and on proportional representation. The Hon. S. 'l'. George moved an amendment, the effect of which was that Maori representatives in the Council would bo elected on the same basis as Europeans. This was lost by 22 votes to T. The first sub-clause* was then car-' i-icd by 20 votes to 10.

The Hon. F. H. D. Bell said that the crucial part of the Bill was contained in sub-clause 2. While the Government adhered to the principle of proportional representation, the question of electoral divisions could still come under review, and it was open to the Council to determine upon any sized .electorate it please^.

* The Hons. J. R. Sinclair and G. J. Smith explained that while were in favor of election, they were not in favor of proportional representation, but as the clause, stood they u;on]d have no opportunity of giving a vote on that issue.

The Hon. F. H. D. Bell said that tie did not desire to . deprive anyone )f tho opportunity of giving his vote' affecting a principle he deemed vital, and he, therefore, proposed to further sub-divide the clause so a,s jo aff> rm election by the people, but not ,qn the proportional representation. If that was carried he proposed to add another sub-section affirming that election be on a proportional basis. This was agreed to and the divisidn on the question that election. be by the people was the deciding point in the fate of the Bill.

The voting jwas as follows: —Ayes (13), 8011, Callan, Luke, Paul, Barr,; Wigram, Collins, Smith, McCardle. Louisson, Duthie, Sinclair .and O’Rorke; Noes (14) Hons. George, Rigg, Jones, Gilmer, Beehan, Baldey, Johnston,- IjOUghnan, Kelly, Anstey. Harris, Thomson, .Mills and.. Samuel; pairs," Ayes Hons., Earnshaw,,McLean, lHardy *aml Jenkinson; Noes, Hons. Ormond, Miller, Baillio, and Stevens. TJIo 1 absentees were the,Hons. Duncan, Partita and Tucker;., r,. .’:

! The Hon] P.' H; D. Bell asked the Hbn* Oj'Sltnutel Whether he prbjprscjl to t proceed; .t}ie Bill, drafted ,hg tW domraittbe.: • : : : I • , • ,The s Hon. 'Mr Samuel Replied* fha { t ho recognised that no private, memlr'r could carry a reform Bill through the .Council. That was the duty of the Government. Mr Bell then moved that the chairman leave the chaip. After a short debate this-, was carried ami the Bi ! : \ya>/ Icißod, ij miaiW E&dr«i The Cou'hcil then passed the Laud and 'lncome Tax, and the Laijd and Income Assessment Amendment Bills, and adjourned at 4.10. hi,i * Ht* t<. ‘ "d ' '