LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15648, 21 July 1916, Page 4

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE ELECTIVE PRINCIPLE.

AN AMENDING BILL

(PRZ.&3 ASSOCIATION* TELEGRAM.)

"WELLINGTON, July 20

In the Legislative Council this af- j ternoon the HOll. Sir Francis Bell I moved the second reading 01 the Legis- j lativo Council Act Amendment Bill. H<* traced the history of the Act. and said Sir Massey and the Reform Party were of firm opinion that it should bo mado the law of the land. They were as determined in 1916 as they were in 1912. After two rejections the Bill in 1914 becamc ■ law. Men had been called to the Council whose views were known to be in sympathy with the Government on this question, but aio pledge had been asked, for the date of the coming into operation of the Act had been advanced so as to permit of auy other Government that might have been elected making any change they considered nccessary. The election ha<l resulted in a majority of one for tho Government. The war then developed and the National Government was formed in the interests of the country. Ho was disappointed that the experiment would not be made next year, but as a matter of fair play to both sides it could not bo made until after a general election. That was why it was proposed to amend the Act by substituting the first day of January, 1920. for the first day of January, 1916. Every member who had assented to tho formation of the National Government was bound to support the arrangement. Unless an agreement had been mado between tho leaders of the two political parties it would not have been possible to have formed a National Government.

The Hon. J. Barr moved an amendment to the effect that tho Act or 101-1 be repealed. He referred to the Act as a favourite, spoiled child of the leader of the Council. Last year it had to he put back in the cradle in its swaddling clothes, and now it had to be put back again for another four years. 'Would it not be wiser, he asked, to put the poor thing out of its misery at once!-' He argued against an elective second Chamber, and contended that it would be preferable to repeal the Act rather than postpone it. Tlie Hon. J. T. Paul expressed himself in favour of an elective Upper House. lie said he believed the National, Government was—as it must be —a bulwark of Conservatism. He disliked the Bill, but he would vote for it. The postponement of the Act was neccssarv as part of the bargain made between the parties, bflt the making of thnj. bargain was a betrayal ol the democracy of this country.

The Hon. H. F. Wigrarn said lie should oppose the amendment. He understood that party politics were to be kept in the background during the life of the National Government. The Hon. A. T. Maginnity supported the second leading of the Bill. The passing of the measure would keep faith with the other political party. The Hon. 15. Moore said lie looked upon the Bill rus a natural sequence of previous legislation 011 the ' subj cct-. The Hon.- G. Carson defended tho formation of the National Government and asked what elso could have been done, especially as the Cabinet was composed of the best men on both sides. He had supported the principle of tho election of the Council for many and he hoped to sec'it the law of the country. The Hon. Sir William Hall-Jonos said ho candidlv confessed that he did not like the Bill. and. asked the reason for the postponement until 1920. He believed an arrangement could have been made between the two parties in the Cabinet, which,- was called a National Government, 'but which lie called a coalition. He would vote for the ihaintenancc of the present position. The Hon. AV. Bcehan said he would vote for the amendment. He favoured the nominative system. The debate was adjourned.