THE UPPER HOUSE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 138, 13 June 1913, Page 6

THE UPPER HOUSE.

APPOINTMENTS AND REFORM

PRESENT MEMBERSHIP.

The Prime Minister informed a Dominion reporter, who made inquiries on the subject, that the. prospective appointments to the Legislative Council would probably be announced in the Governor's Speech, at the opening of Parliament. It is understood that the Government will reintroduce the Legislative Council Reform Bill during the coming session, and that tho measure will be on the lines of the Bill of last year, save that smaller electorates will be proposed. Last year's proposal was to elect the members of the Council on -the proportional representation system, each island forming an electorate. The Council threw out the Bill embodying this pioposal, and also a subsequent measure reducing the term of appointment to the Council from seven year* to three. The new Bill, it is stated, will propose to constitute a number of electorates in each island. In view of these pending developments, it is of interest to note the strength of the present Council, and the position of its members.in regard to the periods at which their terms of office' will expire. The Council now consists of 36 members, of whom seven have been appointed for life and the remainder, at different periods, for a term of seven years. One member (the Hon. T. Kelly) will complete his term m October next, and fourteen members will complete their terms in 1914. Following are the life and # other members, with the dates at which the terms of appointment of the latter members expire:—

LIFE MEMBERS. Sir C. C. Bo wen (Speaker) Hon. W. H. D. Baillie.

Hon. C. J. Johnston

Sir Henry Miller. • Sir George McLean. Hon. J. D. Ormond,

Hon. E. C. J. Stevens,

OTHER MEMBERS. Hon. T. Kelly, October 16, 1913. Hon. J. Anstey, January 22, 1914. Hon. J. Barr, January 22, 1914. Hon. J. B. Callan, January, 22, 1914. Hon. W. E. Collins, January 22, 1914. Hon. C. M. Luke, January 22, 1914. Hon. W. W. MeCardle, January 22, 1914. Hon. J. T. Paul, January 22, 1914. Hon. O. Samuel, January 22, 1914. Hon. J. R. Sinclair, January 22, 1914. Hon. G. J. Smithy January 22, 1914. Hon. W. H. Tucker, January 22, 1914. Hon. R. A. Loughnan, May 6, 1914. Hon.. J. E. Jenkinson, July 1, 1914. Hon. J. Rigg, July 1, 1914. Hon. C. Louisson, January 1, 1915. Hon. C. H. Mills, March 2, 1916. Hon. G. Jones, De&mber 13, 1916. Hon. A. Baldey, March 18, 1917. Hon. W. O. F. Carnoross (Chairman of Committees), March 18,

1917. Hon. T. Thompson, March 18, 1917 Hon. W. Beehan, June 22, 1917. Hon. S. T. George, Jtxne 22, 1917. Hon. H. F. Wigram, June 22, 1917 Hon. B. Harris, February 3, 1918. Sir G. M. O'Rorke, June 24, 1918 Hon. T. Duncan, June 13, 1919. Hon. T. Parata, June 13, 1919. Hon. F. H. D. Bell, July 10, 1919.