REFORM OF THE “LORDS.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3997, 30 July 1913, Page 5

REFORM OF THE “LORDS.”

the debate continued. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON, July 29. 'Plie Council met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Carncross occupied the Chair in the absence of the Speaker. The debate on the Legislative Council Bill was resumed by Mr Earnshaw, who supported the Bill, because the people were against- a continuance of the nominative system, owing •to abuse in party interests. The mandate of the Reform Government to pass the Bill was more definite than the mandate of the Rallanc© Government to pass the Female Franchise. If the Bill’s opponents could not show the people they were unworthy of trust then" they could not argue against extending power to the democracy to elect the Second Chamber. He advocated an increase in the payment of members adeouate to meet the altered conditions under the'elective system. Mr Anstey disagreed with the hybrid Chamber proposed by Mr Sinclair. He was against an elective Upper House because to properly perform its functions its members must lie chosen by selection, not by election. Two elective Chambers would mean either a replica of chambers or conflicting bodies, neither being advantageous to the country. There would ho no necessity for the Bill if the nominative system were improved. He suggested a scheme for the retirement periodically of members of both branches of the Legislature, with all the honors of active members. He advocated more just representatien of all parts and interests of the Dominion, giving greater satisfaction than proportional representation, which he condemned. Election would be the first step to the abolition of the Council. *■