THE SESSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 149, 30 July 1914, Page 8

THE SESSION.

AN ELECTIVE COUNCIL. GOVERNMENTS BILL. SLOW PROGRESS. ( Abridged Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 29. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. In the course of discussion upon notices of motion objection was raised by the Hon. G. Jones to insufficient time being given to consider committee reports. The Hon. J. Barr also raised objection to the proposed lifting of the reservation upon a forest reserve. Eventually the debate was adjourned. FIRST READINGS. The Fruit Preserving Industry, Local Elections and Rolls Act Amendment, Harbours Act Amendment and Victoria College Bills were read a first time. LAND AND INCOME TAX. The Land and Income Tax Bill was put through all stages without amendment. COUNCIL BILL. The Council went into -committee upon the Legislative Council Bill. Upon clause 17, defining who may be elected to the Council, the Hon. J. Duthie moved —"That no person shall be elected who is a member of the House or who is not thirty-six years of age, or who has not been for at least three years either a member of the Council or House in New Zealand, or Mayor of some city in New Zealand, or for at least five years a member- of the council of a county or borough in New Zealand.'' The Hon. F. H. D. Bell said he was afraid that he coul'ji not accept the amendment. He felt sure the House would not approve of the proposal. He saw no reason for any special qualification for the CounciL The Hon. W. Earnshaw opposed the clause. It would kill the Bill in the House. The qualifications proposed were no guarantee of brains. The Hon. J. T. Paul held that the proposed amendmei# was reactionary. It was useless to put up any artificial! barriers in the way of the will of the j people. He was prepared to go in the opposite direction and propose that women should have a right to a seat in the Couneil. It was for the people to say who should be elected. The Hon. A. T. Maginnity.said they were being asked to set a limitation upon a Liberal measure and stultify it. The Hon. W. Beehan said he was surprised that the leader of the House' had not accepted such good Toiy proposals. ' . The Hon. George Jones ridiculed the the clause, but thought an age limit was desirable. The Hon. W. Morgan opposed the amendment. He thought no men not of ripe years would be returned to theCouneil. The Hon. J. Barr said there was some argument behind what Mr Duthie had said, bvt he -thought the wise thing to do was to trust the .people as to what members were sent to the Council. The amendment was defeated by an overwhelming majority, and" the clause passed. . . Discussion upon the clause giving Maoris representation was continued from the afternoon sitting, the Hon. J. T. Paul further urging that clause 20 should :be amended make the Maori representatives two. ' The Hon. F. H. D. Bell said he was -prepared to give way to the wishes of the Council, but if the amendment was carried it meant that the South Island would have no representation at all. The Council went to a division shortly after nine o 'clock, and the amendment -was defeated by 16 to 11. On a further division the clause was retained by 18 to 9. The remaining clauses of the Bill were passed with minor amendments. Progress was reported • at 10.5 and the third schedule was referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.