LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10701, 23 August 1912, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM

DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL. The Hon. J. Rigg contended th;it the Bill was one that should not be allowed to pass the second reading. One of the function* of the Council was to check hasty legislation, and this Bill came into that category. It was an experiment in electoral reform that should first be applied to the Representative Chamber. If they wanted the proper element to constitute the Second Chamber, it was only possible to get it by selection. If the Government was fit to govern the Dominion, it. was fit to elect members, of the Upper House. The Hon. Mr Rigg said the first agitation h;d been by the Labour Party, who wanted the abolition of the Council, a.-s they considered it a superfluous body. He moved that the Bill bo read this day six months. The Hon. G. Jones contended that no change was needed. He made reference to the he-inousness of a party first opposing some measure, and then bringing it forward and claiming it as its own. They would understand his inference. He quoted a number of fine measures which had emanated from the Council. The present Government was claiming a.« its owm- o< number of measures which originated in the Legislative Council. The Government knew no poor man would have a chance of election', as he would not have money enough to travel round miking known his platform. The Council adjourned at 9.1.5 p.m., on the motion of the Hon. J. T. Paul.