THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11726, 29 October 1903, Page 5

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

RECENT APPOINTMENTS ATTACKED. AN UNNECESSARY CHAMBER. (special to “the phess.") WELLINGTON, October 28. “ Where do these men come front?” asked Mr Taylor, during a vehement onslaught on the personnel of the Legislative Council this afternoon. “From the West Coast,” promptly retorted Mr MeLaehlan, and much laughter followed. When this had subsided, Mr Taylor continued his onslaught. He referred to tho members of tho Upper House as forlorn creatures appointed by tho Premier. At this Mr Sodden rose to a point ot order, lie said lie had known the time when such a reflection would not have open tolerated. The Speaker ruled that Mr Taylor could proceed. His remarks were not stronger than were allowed in the House of Commons regarding the House of Lords. This ruling seemed to stimulate Mr Taylor to even more daring criticism. He went on to assert that it was owing to the Premier's nominations that the Upper Chamber bad been brought into disrepute. What had Mr Seddon done when Canterbury had to be honoured? lie hud appointed a brewer, and yet at that time time Mr Roileston, who had done clean, honourable, and dignified sendee for ttie colony, had been overlooked. (Hear, hear.) Mr Reece, the Mayor of the City at its Jubilee, a native-born Canterbury man, a man of character and of marked ability, had also been overlooked. Suclt an appointment as this, and tho appointment of Air Bet-linn, had brought the Chamber to such a low level that scarcely any term of disrespect was too strung to apply to it. The Premier would have to face the fact that the Upper Rouse had become the laughing stock of a democratic country. Many men had been app.‘.;:t.li to that Chamber who had neither the skill nor experience that qualified them to touch measures such as they were now considering, viz., the State Fire Insurance Bill.

Mr Sodden rose to defend his appointments to the Legislative- Council. He said ho had known Mr Louisson for nearly forty years, and nothing could bo said against, him. He had been connected with municipal life, and had been Mayor of Christchurch. Me had been a leading citizen of Christchurch. Air Seddon went on to defend tiie appointment of Mr Wigram. Mr Taylor: “1 deny that I referred to him. I exempted that, man." Mr Seddon said that Mr Taylor did cast a reflection on Mr Wigram. "lie had also reflected upon Mr Bediatt. (Hear, hear.) .Mr Beehan was a business man who had devoted a large amount of time to friendly society work. In regard to Mr P.ollesto’n he (Mr Seddon) believed that Air Rolleston would not have accepted a seat- in the Council at the hands of his (Mr Seddon’s) party.

Mr Witty: “You might have given him a chance, though.” Mr Seddon raid in regard to the Council that age and time had done its work, and there had been so many vacancies that tho Government had had to make nominations. Not a single appointment could be challenged. Tho fact of the matter was that the opposition was coining from tho radical and intolerant Prohibitionists.

Mr Seddon then astonished the House with tho statement that in his opinion there should be no Legislative Council at all. That, lie said, was not an opinlou ho had just arrived at. For many years he had come to the conclusion that no Legislative Council at- all was required. Ait that was necessary was a number cf legal gentlemen of high attainments (with simply revising powers) to whom the Billo as passed by the Lower House could be referred. Suclt men could do the work equally ns well as the forty-five members of tho Legislative Council. The change should not be made until the people were ripe for it, and the change would need to have ‘tho sanction of the Imperial authorities and of the King. It was one of the questions that should be referred to the people by referendum. Air Taylor, by way of personal explanation, stated that he had not referred to Mr Wigram. He had deliberately exempted one or two of the recent appointments as being almost unobjectionable. Mr Seddon argued that -Mr Taylor, in condemning recent appointments, had included Air Wierant in his criticism.