PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 23 August 1912, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

against the Bill ion the third treading. The most difficult point to be considered was that of the franchise to be adopted. He was strongly of opinion that the alternative vote system should be the one adopted. lie ODJected that there was so adequate provision for the solution of the deadlock between the Chambers. He disagreed with the proposal made for. one electorate of each IsJand. That would do away with all community of interest. He thought it would be Ayise t.o break the North Island into four electorates. If the measure passed the second reading in the Council it should be referred to a Seltect Committee of ten for the purpose of putting the. machinery clauses into workable form.

The Hon. O. Samuel considered that the system of nomination should cease and yet he considered the system of election proposed was not a proper one to apply. They would be justified in refusing to vo'e against the Bill on the second .reading, Moreover he did not agree with the mover's remark that at was scarce^ right to include in the measure the provision applicable to the election of the House of Representa'dves. Let the House deal with the measure first 'and make it applicable to the Legislature as a whole. Another question was whether the Second .Chamber should be .abolished instead of "reformed" as proposed. He took' exception, to the election of the Council by the people. If nomination were abolished the Council shoulde be elected by iihe House or by both ,, Chambers sitting together. An elective Council would be required to give pledges and would be worse" than useless. He refused to believe that the present measure was backed by the people who had never : been consulted ori the matter. He was still in favor of the present system of appointing" the Council. Anything that would tender^ to reduce the .honesty of those responsible for the Gpversment was bad. vl had been said that the Council, as at present constituted, was ampopular in the country but was not- the House of Representatives at least • ■equal'y unpopular. If the House gave as much_ attention to its business as did the Council, affairs would be. better. Dealing with proportional representation he submitted a plan to show that under this scheme success would be achieved by trade organisations or factions or wealthy men. He. would be prepared to give the second reading of the Bill consideration if it were only to affirm tihat some change was desired. EVENING SITTING. MON. J. RIGG'S AMENDMENT 1 . The Council resumed at 8 p.m. The Hon J. Rigg contended that the Bill, was ose that should not be allowed to .pass its second reading. One of the functions of the Council was to check hasty legislation and thi? Bill came into that category. It was an experiment in electoral reform that should first, .applied 10 the represcnta tive Chamber. If they wanted the proper element to constitute the second Chamber at was only possible to get it by selection. If • the Government was fit to govern the Dominion it was fit to select members of the Upper. House. Mr. Rigg said the first agita';ion had been by the Labour Party who wanted the abolition of the Council as it'considered it a superfluous body. He moved that ' he Bill be read this .day six months." The -Hon. G. Jones contended that no change was needed. He made reference to the hcinouness of a, party first, opposing some measure, and then bringing it foil-ward and claiming it as i's ownv Councilors would understand his reference. He quoted a number of. fine measures which had emanated from the Council. The present Government was claiming as its own a number of measiires wriicri originated in the Legislative Couscii. The Government knew that no poor man would have a chance of election as lie would not have money j;noug"h to travel rpund making known his platform. The Council adjourned at q. /15 p.m. •oh. the .motion of the Hon j. T Paul: -- v •