LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 2 October 1913, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL

DISCUSSED IN WMMITTEE. THE MEASURE KILLED. (Bt TeUgraph—Preu Auoeiation.) I WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Legislative Council went into comnliiw' 6 * n * s afternoon on the Legislative Ommvf! BM.' tt „ On the suggest**; - of the Hon - H « D. Bell, clauses 2 to 8 ws© po^ 11ed, so as to get to the gin* of the Bill without delay. It was farther suggested that clause 9 be divided, so as to affirm (1) that future Councillors be elected and not nominated; and (2) that election be by the people, and on proportional representation. The Hon. Mr George moved an amendment, the effect of which was that Maori representatives in the Council be elected on the same basis as Europeans. This was lost by 22 votes to 7. The first 'was then carried by 20 votes to 10. The Hon. H. D. 801 l said the crucial -part of the Bill whs contained in sub-clause 2. While the Government adhered to the prinoiplo of proportional representation, the question of electoral divisions could still come under review. It was open to the Council to determine upon any sized electorate it pleased. ' ■ The Hons. Sinclair and Smith explained that' while in favour of ©lection, they were not in favour of proportional representation, but as the clause stood they would have no opportunity of giving a vote on that issue. The Hon. H. D. Bell said he did nolt desire to deprive anyone- of the opportunity of giving a vote affecting a principle they deemed to be vital. He therefore propogji -to. sub-divide the clause so as to sßPfrm: election by the people, bvit not on the proportional representatidn basis. If that was carried, he proposed to add another sub-section, affirming that election be on the proportional basis. This was agreed to. A division on the question that election be by the people, ,which was the deciding point in the fate of the Bill, was then taken, the voting being as follows: ' Ayes (13) —Hons. Bell, Callan, Luke, Paul, Barr, Niliara, Collins, Smith, McCardle, Louisson, Duthie, Sinclair, O'Rorke. Noes (14) —Hons. George, Rigg, Jones, Gilmer, Beehan, Baldey, Johnston, Lougluian, Kelly, Anstey, Harris, Thomson, Mills, Samuel. Pairs (ayes)—Hons. Earnshaw, McLean, Hardy, Jenkinson. Paire (noes):—Hons. Ormond, Miller, Baillie and Stevens. The absentees were the Hons. Tucker, Parata and Duncan. » The Hon. H. D. Bell asked the Hon. 0. Samuel whether he proposed to proceed with the Bill drafted by the committee. The Bon. O. Samuel replied that he recognised that no private member could carry a reform Bill through the Council. That was the duty of the Government. The Hon. H. D. Bell then moved that the chairman leave the chair. After a short debate, this wrs ear-" 1 ried, and the Bill was killed.