LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10706, 29 August 1912, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM

THE DEBATE CONTINUED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON; Last Night. The debate on the Legislative Counc:l Elections Bill was resumed by the Hon J. D. Ormond, who urged that tho reading should bo passed. The provision for election would, however, require to be altered, or the Council would bo the dominant Horn*, as being more representative of the people. He would he glad to see the provisions of the Bill referred to the people, and the Government's attention concentrated upon ether things. , The Hon. Mr Stevens said the Council in tho past had done good | work, but it was no longer a real political force. The Government for twenty years had practically esting- i uished" origination 'in public matters! on the part of,.the Council. For that i reason, no measure of real sound jm-j portance had come from that body.i He advocated the adoption of the I system of an electoral college, in-} stead of tho proposed,, system. The Hon. Mr Beehan said his view I

was that .they should .'n?t?in .ncmir.sv"ii'on'or totally abolish the Council. Ho

did not believe in the duplication of the electoral system for both Houses. The Government of the day rhoukl be prepared to take the responsibility of appointments to the Council. The Hon. Captain Tucker said that

the fact that the Chamber *had existed for fifty years without serious change might be taken as an indication that no great change was required. He held thai, the members nf the Council were already elected by the people under tho present system, for the representatives of the people ultimately chose the member* of the Council. He feared that farmers would not receive adequate representation under this Bill. ( The Hon. Mr Wigram. s;id he would vote for the second reading of the Bill.

Tho Hon. Mr Baldoy would support the second reading, hut would oppose clause 5, which provided for the electorates. Tin's, lie considered, was against tho interest of .small farmers.

Tlie Hon. T. Thompson admitted there was a public desire for a change

in tho system of appointments, but he thought the Bill went too far. He would vote for the second reading, but hoped tho Government would act on

tlie Hon. J. D/Ormond's suggestion. The Hon. Major Harris thought the ■ Bill was a crude one, and that there was no real public demand for the reformation of the Council. He would, however, vote for the second reading, and reserve his opposition for later ! stages.

The.Council adjourned at 9.15 p.m