UPPER HOUSE PERSONNEL

Evening Star, Issue 21220, 29 September 1932, Page 12

UPPER HOUSE PERSONNEL

ARE ADDITIONS CONTEMPLATED? SEVERAL NAMES MENTIONED [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 29. There is a great deal of speculation as to the Government’s policy regarding appointments to the Legislative Council. At present the numerical strength of the Council is only twenty-seven, the lowest on record, and there are three more members due to retire on October 28. No maximum number of seats in the Council was fixed either by the Constitution Act or by the Legislative Act of 1891, but in practice the Council has maintained about half the strength of the House, which is eighty. There have been times when the number of members in the Council has considerably exceeded forty, as appointments have been made by a new Government coming into office to ensure that its policy shall not be frustrated by the upper chamber. After several retirements had taken place last session the Prime Minister stated that no further appointments were contemplated, but with the death of ono member and the early retirement of Messrs Rhodes, Isitt, andWitty it is freely rumoured that the Government is considering the question of increasing the strength of the Council. Among those who are stated to be in the running for seats in the Tipper House are Mr Harold Johnstone, K.C., Sir James Gunson, Mr J. M‘C. Dickson, and Mr T. W. Rhodes, all of whom are Reformers. Mr Dickson was formerly the member for Chalmers, and Mr Rhodes sat in Parliament as the member for Thames. Neither sought re-election in 1928. Mr Johnstone unsuccessfully contested the Hutt seat in the 1929 by-election. On several occasions Sir James Gunson has stood for Auckland seats. Should he be called to the Upper House he would be obliged to resign from the Railways Board. The Prime Minister was asked this afternoon whether there was_ any announcement to make concerning fresh appointments. He gave a negative answer, and while neither confirming nor denying the suggestion that further appointments might be made, he made it clear that no immediate additions to the Council were contemplated. He observed that even at its reduced strength the Council was doing its work well and meeting all requirements.