THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 14097, 26 June 1906, Page 6

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

There has beon little talk of the refonH of tiro Legislative Council during tlio present political crisis, mainly, we suppose, because everyone recognises the difficulty of the task; but there can be no doubt that the time is particularly opportune for the review of our bicameral system of legislation. The Council itself has hitherto been the chief obstacle to reform, and it is reasonable to assume that its diminishing membership will proportionately lessen the weight of. its opposition. There have been no appointments to tbe

Chamber since 1904, Sir Maurice O’Rorke being tbe I act “lord ” created by Mr Seddon, and its roll is now smaler than it has been at any time before during the past thirty years or so. Messrs Peacock, Pinkerton and Taiaroa hare joined the great majority since last session, Messrs Gourley and Fraser have not been re-appointed on the completion of their term, and Mr Arkwright is away in England, In addition to these there are quite a number ■of members who will he prevented by ill-health or weight of years from attending to their duties in Wellington, and by the end of next year there will he another batch of compulsory retirements. Tliis year the terms of Messrs Bolt, Feldwick, T. Kelly and Montgomery and Colonel Pitt expire, and nest year those of Messrs Jenkinson, Louisson and Rigg will expire. It is doubtful if as many as twenty Councillors will bo in their places at the opening of Parliament to-morrow, and it would probably roquii’e a very energetic whip to muster a couple of dozen in any emergency. This means that without new appointments only twelve or fifteen votes would be needed to carry a reform that would bring the Council into line with public opinion. We believe that this is the opportunity for which Mr Seddon was waiting, and wo shall be deeply disappointed if it is not used by the new Premier towards popularising the Chambef. The division on the second reading of Sir William Steward’s Legislative Council Election Bill last session (showed unmistakably that the country required- some change, and if Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Hali-Jdnes are wise they will not wait for a second hint of the same kind. The principal objection to Sir William’s proposal was that it provided for the election of new (members of the Council by the members of the Council and the House voting together, but if the leaders of the Liberal Party are looking for a more democratic measure they may find it in Mil’ Wigram’s Legislative Council Reform Bill, which was a bold attempt to induce the Council to “mend ” itself. The question certainly will have to bo dealt with in some way or other in the near future, and the new' Government should not allow itself to bo driven where it is expected to lead;.