LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22827, 11 March 1936, Page 10

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

ABOLITION ISSUE RAISED

ATTITUDE OF NEW APPOINTEES (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, March 10. The men who have been appointed to the Legislative Council by the Labour Government have not been called upon to sign any pledge that they will vote for the abolition of the Council, but Mr G. R. Hunter, one of the new appointees, said to-day that he was definitely satisfied they would all do so if the party thought it necessary. “We go into the Legislative Council quite unfettered,” said Mr Hunter, “ but I know every man who has been appointed, and I am satisfied that all will vote for an Abolition Bill or hand in their resignations straight away if called upon to do so.” Mr Hunter said that the abolition of the Council was still a definite plank in the Labour Party’s platform, but it might not be necessary to put it into effect immediately. If, however, trouble were experienced with the anti-Labour majority in the Council, it might be necessary to take immediate action.

NO IMMEDIATE INTENTION PRIME MINISTER’S ASSURANCE. (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 10. A declaration that the Government had no immediate intention of amending the law regarding the Legislative Council was made by the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage), when commenting on the new batch of appointments. Dir Savage said it was true the Labour Party had for years advocated the abolition of the second chamber, but it was not intended to move in this direction just yet. That was one of the problems for the future. It was possible that in future there would be an alteration in the existing law. Mr Savage said that the main object of the new appointments was to ensure that there would be_ no blockage of the Government’s legislation, and that there would be the widest possible representation in the revising Chamber of all views in the community. THE NEW COUNCILLORS (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 10. '• A special supplement to the New Zealand Gazette was issued this evening containing the names of the 14 new Legislative Councillors (already published) who have been appointed by writs of summons under the seal of the Dominion of New Zealand as from March 0, 1930. It is of interest to note that immediately the persons summoned to the Legislative Council have received the warrant of their appointment, they are entitled to be addressed as the Hon. So-and-so, M.L.C., and to be eligible for the emoluments and privileges of their office. The subsequent swearing-in ceremony is merely a formality.