LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10713, 5 September 1912, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM

THE BILL HUNG UP

(By Tekgraph—Press Association.j

WELLINGTON, Lasrt Night.

In the Legislative Council this after- ! noon the debate in the motion for the ■committal of the' Legislative Council Elections 'Bill, and the Hon. J.-D. Ormond's amendment to defer further consideration until next session, was resumed by the Hon. G. Jones, who denied that the Government had a mandate from the people on the subject. He held tho.t time should bo allowed both the people and members • for further consideration of the measure.

The Hon. IVtr Aiu>tey denied that in voting for the second reading ho had affirmed the principle of election. All he had affirmed was that a change was desirable. Ho was opposed to the system proposed in the Bill. No good purpose would be served by allowing the. Bill to passv - •

The Hon. Mr Callan said it was recognised ixs a constitutional principle that the passing of the second reading of a measure endorsed tho- principle contained therein. The Council, to be consistent and maintain its dignity, should continue the consideration of the Bill in Committee.

The Hon. J. Duncan thought the Bill bul better be left alone for this year.

The motion for committal was-lost by 2(F~to 13. The following is the division, list:—Against committal.— Hons. Baillie,George, Rigg, Jenkinson, Jones, Beeban, Gilmer, Johnson, 6rinond, Stevens, Miller, Kelly, Anstev, Harris, Louisson Mills, Duncan, Samuel, Thompson. For committal.— Hons. Bell, Callan, Luke, Paul, Barr, Steward, Parati, Smith, Collins, Loughuan, McLean, McCardle, Wigram. QUESTION IN THE HOUSE. THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. WELLINGTON, Last Night. [Replying to a question' by Mr G. W. Russell in the House of Representatives this evening, the Hon. W. F. Massey said that inxill probability the House would be given an opportunity of expressing an opinion on tlie question of whether the reform of the Upper House was necessary. He thought the right thing had been done in giv- ' ing the Council the first opportunity of expressing its opinion on the matter.