PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 82, 5 October 1915, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL The Legislative Council resumed at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon. Pursuant to notice, the Hon. W. Beehan moved that the Government be requested to take into consideration the advisability of recommending :—": — " That members of the Legislative Council who have been ten years and over in the Council, and who have ceased to be members, through retirement or resignation, shall be allowed to retain the title j of ' Honourable.' " . | In a note to hi 6 question, Mr. Beehan stated that by despatch of the 14th November, 1896, the Secretary of State requested' to be informed if the Government of New Zealand desired that members of the Legislative Council in this Dominion should on retirement or resignation, after a continuous service in such Council of not less than ten years, be eligible for recommendation by the Governor for Royal permission to retain the title of "Honourable." Mr. William Montgomery was allowed to retain the title as from the 14th December, 1906, accordingly, on such retirement. , (Proceeding.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House of Representatives sat at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby gave notice to introduce the Protection of Members Bill. The Legislative Council Amendment Bill, which was introduced to the House to-day, is to ensure that one party shall not have a fixed majority in the Upper House during the period that has to j elapse before the Council becomes elective. This will mean that further j nominations may be made before the Council becomes fully elective. Replying to Mr. Craigie, the Hon. J. A. Hanan said that his colleagues did not agree with the recommendation of the Education Boundaries Commission that the number of thd boards should be reduced to seven. They . favoured increasing the number. With- the object of facilitating the matter being dealt with this session, a Bill would be introduced to increase the number recommended by the Commission, and also provide what he believed would be a satisfactory solution of the question. . Members : Leave them as they are ! The Minister said that when the Bill came down they could discuss the matter. The number would not be thirteen, as before. It is understood the number will be increased to nine. Dr. Thacker asked the Prime Minister what was to be the Imperial policy in the Pacific. The Prime Minister said that the Imperial Defence policy in the Pacific was a. matter for -the Imperial Conference to decide. He hoped the Conference would meet at no distant date. He did not know the date, but New Zealand would be represented, and he hoped it would be by the Premier and the Finance Minister (Sir Joseph Ward). Members: A fine combination! (Laughter.) A member: Will they come back? Mr. Massey : Of course they -will come back. (Proceeding.) ,