LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 12

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.

ELECTION BY LOWER HOUSE.

SUGGESTION IN QUEENSLAND

In an address to tho Constitutional Club in Brisbane recently Mr. Firman McKinnon, associate editor of tho Courier, advanced suggestions for tho re-establish-ment of an Upper House in Queensland. Tho.weakness of the old Legislative Council, ho said, was tho appointment of members for life. A second Chamber, constituted like tho Australian Senate, had defects almost as serious. At different times ho had studied tho constitution of second Chambers in different parts of tho world, and he had been impressed with a modification of that of Norway. Thero tho second Chamber was elected by tho lower Chamber from its own members.

Mr. McKinnon suggested tho election cif a second Chamber of, say, 40 members, by tho Legislative Assembly on a proportional' basis from outside tho House. It was the recommendation made by the Bryco Commission 11 years ago for reform of the House of Lords. Ho suggested election for twice tho constitutional term of tho lower House, that was, six years, and that one-half of tho members should retire at tho end of each threo years. This scheme would ensure a Council thoroughly representative and efficient and moderate".