THE UPPER HOUSE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 139, 15 June 1931, Page 10

THE UPPER HOUSE

TWO RETIREMENTS

VACANCIES NOT TO BE FILLED

The term of appointment of two members of the Legislative Council, the Hons. V. 11. -Bee-d (Auckland) and A. S. Malcolm (Southland), will expire tomorrow. They were appointed on the recommendation of the Coates Government on 16th June, 1924.

The Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. G. W. Forbes) announced to-day that the vacancies will not be filled. This is in pursuance of the economy policy declared some months ago> when the Prime Minister stated that no fresh appointments or rcappointments to the Council would be made for the present.

The first member of the Council affecte-d by the decision was Sir Frederick Lang, who retired on 22nd February last. An exception was made, however, in the case of the Speaker, Sir Walter Carncross, who was re-appoint-ed when his term expired on 17th March.

With the retirement of Messrs. Kecd and Malcolm, the strength of the Council will be reduced to thirty-five. ■

It is of interest to note that next year the seven-year appointments of no less than twelve councillors will expire: the Hons. E. W. Alison (Auckland), W. T. Fleming (Otago), G. J. Garland (Auckland), J. B. Gow (Auckland), A. F. Hawke (Otago), Sir John Sinclair (Otago), W. Stewart (Auckland), G. M. Thomson (Otago), and W. H. Triggs (Canterbury) will be due to retire oh' 7th May, and the Hous. L. M. Isitt (Canterbury), Sir E. Hcaton Eho.des (Canterbury), and G. Witty (Canterbury) on 2Sth October.