LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 2024, 13 September 1913, Page 6

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

A PECULIAR PROPOSAL.

(Preia Aaeooiation.—By Telegraph Wellington, Last Night

The special committee set up to consider bow the constitution of the Legislative Council shooM be changed brought down his repoit this afternoon.

The report is volumiuous but t'ie ornx is oontained in these resolution (carrie > by 5 to 4):— Trat it is expedient that the number of European Councillors be limited to the present number (forty) and that all vecancies as they occur be filled by election by members of the Council and of the House f Representatives by ballot. "(2) That in the < pinion of the Committee t ; e coming into operation of t e Act, if passed, shoo Id be deferred until after the next general election

Tie Cjmmittee recommended that the Bill now before t ;, .e Council be amende i 60 as t > ring it into couformity with the Bill in the appendix to the report. This Bill provides that any person eligible on election to the House may be elected to the Council saving a member sitting in the Honse. Candidates must be nominated by two members of eit er House;" the vote et all be by ballot and the election s all close within fouteen days after the nominations close. In case of equality of votes the Clerk will detemiue the result by lot. The provision is male t at t'ie Oouncilldr vv o retires on 16th October shall continue in office until 22nd December next; of twelve who letire on 22d January, 1914, three s" all retire on that day, three s all continue in office until 22nd February, and then retire, three shall continue in offico until 22nd March and then retire, and the remain er shall continue in office until 22nd day of April aud then retire. The or er in which t«e retirements take place is to be determined by lot. The term of election s .all be seven years. The two Maori members shall be nominated The provisions of the Bill are not to apply to fc» em.

A member of the Executive Conncil may be summoned to the Connoil at auy time The relations of the two Houses on the subject uf money Bills is •tefiued in part II of the Bill. The Council cannot originate loans ap ropriatlug revoke, or moneys, or imposing taxation. The Council may cot amsnd money Bills but may return them to the House on amen meut. if a money Bill is S6ut up to t e Council one week before tiie end of the session and not passed by the Conucil within one week t e Bill shall, unless t»ip House directs to the contrary, become an Act of Parliament, on the Governor giving I is assent