LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10707, 30 August 1912, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL

SECOND READING CAKRIED

BY 24 VOTES .TO 8

(By Tetegrapn — frets Association.)

WELLINGTON

Last Night

In the Legislative Council this afternoon, the Hon. G. J. Smith renewed the debate on the Legislative Councils Election Bill. He said he had been struck by the far.t that the so-called Conservatives in the Council had advocated the change, while the Liberal and Democratic members of that, body advocated a continuance of the present nominative system. That so many attempts had been made to niter the constitution of the Council, convinced him that there was? a desire on the part of the people for a change. The fact that eso many valuable amendments had been made in the legislation introduced during late years showed that the Council had fulfilled its purpose. The nominations to the Council during the past 20 yeary had been made by one party. Had there boon changes 'of Government, the matter might have rectified itself, aud there would, perhaps, have been no demand, for an alteration of the Constitution. He supported the elective principle, although he recognised the great danger of duplicating the legislative machinery and making the Council a reflex of another place. He preferred large electorates, and denied that the farmers would not secure adequate representation, alleging that the Canterbury farmers were becoming very well organised. He would vote for the second reading of the Bill.

The Hon. Dr. Collins thought tint when the House wa<? newly-elected it should select its Ministry, and that Ministry should then nominate the Council. This plan, he thought, would destroy all the basis for cavilling at the Council. Under proportional representation, the system of election would be by powerful organisations, each with a full-ticket. With the proposed electorates, the. organisers alone would be able to meet tho voters, and only wealthy organisation's would meet with success. He would vote for the Bill going into Committee, and trusted a Select Committee would be appointed to deal'with it. j The Hon. T. Parata supported the ' pneond rending, hut said he would 1 oppose the third reading if the neccsI sary modifications were not satisfac- | torv.

The Hon. J. 'Rigg's amendment , that the Bill be react six months hence, was lost by 25 votes to 6, those voting for the amendment being the Hons. Rigg, .Tones, Beehan, Gilmer, Loughnan, and Kelly. The Hon. H. D. Bell replied at length, combatting the objections to largo electorates, which, he pointed out, Avere essential to proportional representation. He disagreed with the contention that the farmer, under the proposed system, would not be adequately represented. There was a concensus of opinion that a change in I the method of chosing the Council was 'essential, and the elective system must be on a different system to that of tho House. An election, by both Houses would be objected toby the people, who would want to have a say in the matter themselves.

The second reading of the Bill was agreed to by 2-1 votes to 8, and the committal of the Bill was fixed for Tuesday next. The Council then; rose.