PARLIAMENT OF NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 12 September 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT OF NEW ZEALAND.

[Unites fEEBS Assocution.j SUMMARY "oTbUSINESS. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, Friday. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Attorney-General, in moving the second reading of the Second Ballot Bill, received from the House, said the measure was based on the German system, which had existed for forty years, and tho Germans showed no desire, to chaugo the system. The absoluto majority system had been tried in Queensland, but was found to be unsatisfactory. If it had proved otherwise, the Government would have submitted an Absolute Majority Bill. Ho deprecated the criticisms of the press on the so-called gag clauses, and defended the clauses in tlio interests of candidates. The Hon. S. T. George said he would support the Bill; but advocated a system of voting by post. The Hon. J. T. Paul, in opposing the Bill, said the German electoral system was a flagrant disgrace to an educated democracy, and a byeword and a reproach as an electoral system. Mr Paul paid a tribute to the press in New Zealand, and adversely criticised the press of Victoria. Tho Hons. V 7. "W. McArdle and J. Barr supported the Bill, the latter remarking that certain modifications were necessary. The Council adjourned at 5 until 7.30 p.m.