THE SECOND CHAMBER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 180, 30 July 1913, Page 8

THE SECOND CHAMBER.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM. 'By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The debate on the Legislative Council Bill was resumed in the Council this afternoon by the Hon. W. Earnshaw, who said that in accepting nomination to th« Council he was to ask himself whether he could support the measures which were being promoted by the Government. On that score he found no difficulty, and he especially had no difficulty -in supporting this bill. Theoretically, the nominative Council might be the ideal second Chamber, but it was no usetalking of things theoreticaL The people were against the continuance of the nominative system mainly because it had been so much abused in the interest' of party in the pa»t. None of the previous speakers had dealt with the issues thrown down by this bill. Ac adypieted an increase in the payment of members adequate to the altered conditions under the elective system. He supported*'the bill because he believed the more we put the responsibility of legislation upon the masses, the safer the country wonld be.

The Hon. J. Anstey thought it was .a pity that no provision was made inthft -bill to preserve the country quota in the electorates. To his mind the bill was destructive in every sense, and without reason. He was going to vote against it. The carrying of the second reading last year was not an affirmation of its principle, but more an act of courtesy to the new Government. He was igainst ah elective Upper House, because properly to perform its legislative functions its members must be chosen by selection and not election. If the "'ouncil was elected, and given no power, t would soon seek to acquire power for itself, and theTc must be serious disigreement between the two Chambers. He- defended the Council against party feeling towards the Government, and said its legislation had been fairly treated. He did not see. the necessity for the alteration of the constitution of the Council, but he thought the nominative system could be greatly improved, pare =hculd be taken that every part ofithe Dominion and every interest should be represented. This would resiijt in much greater satisfaction than would ev«r be got out of the system of proportional representation, which .he did not favour. If that system was to .be initiated it should be confined to tne cities. The only practical example «f proportional representation was Tasmania, and he saw that a writer had the other day said the results there were; exasperating. There were not stti members of the Council who rcatiy wanted the bill. Public opinion had considerably altered in the countrjvana there was' a feeling that more tune should be given for its consideration. The election of the second Chamber was the first step towards the abolition ol the Legislative Council. The debate was adjourned on the-mo-tion of the Hon. C. H. Mill?.