UPPER HOUSE ABOLITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 210, 21 June 1950, Page 4

UPPER HOUSE ABOLITION

SUPPORT OFFERED TO GOVERNMENT

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 20. The Government’s proposal to abolish the Legislative Council is evidently popular in some quarters. Already there have been applications from enthusiastic volunteers willing to accept appointment to the council so that ‘they can help to abolish it. Some are even willing to serve for the session without -remuneration. An honorarium of £375 is paid to Legislative Councillors annually. It is expected that about 20 new appointments will be needed to ensure the passage of the Government's legislation. The list of new appointments is likely to be submitted to the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Freyberg) this week. If 20 appointments are made this will be the largest number ever to be appointed at one time. NO LACK OF VOLUNTEERS Volunteers are not lacking for appointment for a few months to the Legislative Council, which is to be abolished as from the end of the coming session of Parliament. i Many of them are even prepared to serve, without any honorarium, which is £375 a year.„ The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. S. G. Holland, said in reply to an inquiry last night, that a number of letters had been received from people offering their k services. The list of new Legislative Councillors is expected to be submitted to the Governor-General this week. If, as expected, it contains about 20 names, it will probably he the largest group of councillors ever appointed at one time.