LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10712, 4 September 1912, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM

HON J. I). ORMOXD'S AMENDMENT.

(By Telegraph — Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Last Night

In tho Legislative Council this; afternoon the Hon H. 1). Bell moved the committal of the Legislative Coun(cil Elections Bill. In his speech lie anticipated .the amendment of which tho Hon J. J). Ormond had given notice, namely, that the Council, having affirmed the principle cf election for that body, it is inadvisable to proceed further with the Bill in order | that tho electors should have time to j consider the proposals in tho measure. Tho Minister urged that, as the quesi tion of the method of election should jbe decided in Committee, the postI ponemenfc of the question would postj pone not only the details but the principle also. It would bo of value ,to the country, if election by the people was rejected and a secondary : election preferred, to know that fact, and the majority by which the decision ' was arrived at. It would be far more in keeping with the dignity of the Council that it should proceed to deal with the matter, which it had declared should bo given effect to, than to postpone it till a time when many members would not have the power | of considering the question. Ho con- I sidered that those hon gentlemen who j held their seats by appointment should ! themselves consider this question of reform. He failed to see in what ! way the postponement for a year could ! enlighten the people on the subject, I if the matter was not discussed in its details. If it were the opinion of the Council that the matter should be at an end for this year, no one could deny their right to so decide; but consideration should be given tho. reasons he had advanced. j Tho Hon J. D. Ormond said the. question was simply whether they would not achieve their end better by delay than by immediate action. The Council were in favour of the voice of the people, but the other grounds had not been affirmed by the people. Tho division of the conntry into two electorates was not desired. On the question of franchise, too, there was a disagreement, and the people had a right to be consulted on these points. As to how an opinion could, be gain T ed before, next session, he contended that members of the House would have to meet their constituencies, and thus, in some way. some opinion from the people would be gained. He did not think the Government would mako appointments to the Council while tho measure was under discussion. To send the Bill to another place now would be to occupy much valuable time that should be given to other important matters.

The Hon J. Eigg seconded the Hon J. D. Ormond's amendment. Though he was opposed to it, he felt compelled to vote for it, avs ho did not wish the Bill to become law.

The Hbns Wigrram, Paul, Stoward, Loughnan and McCardle favoured the consideration of the details of the Bill in Committee.