LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 7, 7 August 1916, Page 7

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

* SATURDAY’S SITTING. (Per Press Association). Wellington, August o. 'J'hc Council resumed at !2.d0. I The Hon. Sir U. H. D. Bell moved the second reading of the Parliamentary Elections Postponement Bill. He I said it would not be possible to hold ;t r0i )l election during the existence #o f the National Cabinet as present constituted. Two parties could not );„ i jiited in a. Cabinet room and sep■ grated-on the platform. Further, the votes of- the men at the war could not be taken, as was the case in 1914 before the main Expeditionary Force • left the Dominion, u The Hon. Paul opposed the Bill because he did not think it was necessary at the present time. He could imagine circumstances which might make necessary a session early nextyear when the Bill could then be passed. The rights of the people in ! connection with the liquor polls was | affected by the Bill. The Hon. A. Bell, in reply, said he regretted the Bill would interfere ! with the taking of the Licensing poll, I but that could not be avoided. He did not . realise that circumstances Av.ould .make a meeting of Parliament early next year necessary. The motion was agreed to. The. Wellington Methodist Educational and Charitable Trusts Bill was | read a second time. Both Bills were considered in comImittee, reported without amendment, read a third time and passed. The local Bills referred to above were favourably reported on by the Local Bills Committee, and put through all stages.