REFORM OF COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15667, 22 July 1914, Page 11

REFORM OF COUNCIL.

UPPER HOUSE DEBATE. ' AN ELECTIVE CHAMBER. SECOND READING OF BILL. [by telegraph..—press association.] Wellington, Tuesday. The debate upon tho second reading of the Legislative Council BUI was opened in the Legislative Council to-day. In moving the reading tho Hon. H. I). 801 l said he had more sanguine hopes in introducing the Bill this year than he had the previous year. As there were so many now members in tho Council it would bo necessary to again go into tho details of the Bill. Tho Government of the day had gone to the people at the last election with the proposal for an elective Council. A change inHho constitution of the Council had been suggested. Since its foundation only one change had-taken place, namely, in 1891. The seven-year appointments were necessarily allied to tho political parties. Opportunities for reappointments also relied upon alliance with political parties. Since 1891 there had been an unceasing desire for a change in the constitution. The -. only difference was upon tho form which the change should take. There was no reason why the Council should not be a real live force in tho Legislature, but this could not bo so long as the Council was nominated and not elected. Nomination, so far as it remained, was in the hands of tho Administration of the day, but if the change to election was made tho Council would represent tho people. The elective Council could not be over-ridden, except by the electors. A Restraining Force. In tho case of a wild riot of opinion in the country, such as a programme of confiscation, he hoped to see a Senate in office which could say "Hold your hands." If, of course, tho people were determined upon the course adopted, then tho Council would be defeated at the next election. Except in one detail the Bill was tho same as it was last year. The Bill was also, in principle, tho same as tho one of iyi2. The postponing of tho operation of the Bill was owing to the coming general elections, and If a new Government were appointed, it would not bo able to pass amending legislation owing to the appointments made by the present Government.

Referring to the discussion upon tho second reading last year, he said that the Council had almost as a whole approved of a change. The committee set up last year had decided upon tho desirability of some system of election being provided. He outlined the voting which took place in tho Council last year, there being no majority at any time in favour of nomination, and a strong minority had always favoured election by the people. He also quoted the resolutions passed by the House last year. The Council had agreed upon election, but had stuck at proportional representation. Tho whole of modern constitution was making against nomination, and he instanced the proposal to have the new Irish Parliament elected by proportional representation in four largo electorates.

Party Not Essential. It was not essential that party should be represented in the Council. 'Councillors should be known men, whoso long connection with public affairs warranted confidence. They should be men outside the range of the "parish pump." Tho speaker reviewed at considerable length the working of proportional representation, which, he held, would tend to, the election of men qualified to sit in any branch of the Legislature, but who could not bring themselves to vote as the party told them. lie contended that it was wdl known that the larger the electorate the less an election cost. He thought tho proportional rate would tend to give each party representation according to its strength. He felt sure that those who supported the change in the constitution would be able to look back upon their action with pride. " Specials " Assembled. The Hon. S. T. George said the Leader of the Council had made up his mind that tho Bill should go through. The " specials" had been assembled to force the Bill through, therefore, he thought they should see that the best possible Council was elected. He would not vote for an electivo Council upon the same franchise as the Lower House, as it only meant a duplication of the Chambers. Ho did not like proportional representation, as applied to large electorates, as it would mean the cutting out of country representation. He ridiculed the idea that the large electorates would not cost more to contest than small ones. It would cost over £1000 to secure a seat on the Council under the proposed arrangement!?. The Government said that it had a mandate from the people to reform the Council, yet it proposed a method which would take nine years to earn.' into operation. There was no reason why the Council should not be .abolished next year. The debate was then adjourned until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday.