LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 31

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

THE COMMITTEE’S PROGRAMME

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 7.

The Special Committee which lias been set up by the Legislative Council to inquire into the proposals for the icform of the Upper Chamber is setting about its task in a very thorough and comprehensive fashion. The report, when it is presented, will certainly bo a most valuable document in itself, and probably the most authoritative paper upon the subject ever prepared by any dominion Legislature. Hie committee held a meeting to-day and appointed the Hon. O. Samuel chairman, and the Hons. J. Duthie and J. R. Sinclair a sub-committee to arrange a programme of work and to collect material. That the committee is going to be most thorough is already evidenced by certain moves made. Every member of the Council isi to be asked to give evidence, and all Bills whicTi have over been introduced into the Upper Chamber dealing with this subject are being resurrected, and will bo considered. These will number perhaps a dozen. In addition, all special inquiries made in the past will be considered. One of the earliest so far rediscovered goes back to 1835, when a committee, of which Sir Frederick Whitaker was chairman, made extensive inquiries, and received evidence from Sir George Grey, Sir Julius Vogel, Mr Robert Stout (now Sir Robert), the Hon. Major Atkinson, and Mr James Macandrew.

As well as delving into the past of Now Zealand the committee will consider the latest developments in constitutional government elsewhere.

It is already being felt that probably the result of the committee’s inquiry will bo the presentation of a Bill which will propose a system of election by the two Houses sitting together. The indications in that direction are strong. Something approaching that plan will he preferable it is felt to a poll of the people being taken directly. It is recognised that hearly all constitutional authorities hold the opinion-' that the two Houses should not be elected on the same franchise. It is also recognised that to introduce a different franchise, such as the property qualification, at this date would not bo acceptable to the people at large. For these reasons, therefore, the course suggested will most likely bo followed. Even if this Bill when produced shall not bo passed this session it is considered that the report and the evidence collected will bo of exceptional value in all future proceedings. The talent upon the committee certainly supports that view. Those with a legal training are the Hons. 11. D. 8011, O. Samuel, and J. R. Sinclair, while all the others —the Hons. W. C. F. C'arncross, J. Duthie, J. D. Ormond, G. J. Smith, and E. C. J. Stevens—are men of standing and experience. August 10. The Reform politicians consider that the prospects of an amicable understanding being arrived at between the Government and the Legislative Council in regard to the Upper House Reform Bill are not bright. It is thought highly probable that the Council may eventually send the Bill to the Lower House in such a shape that the Government will decline to accept it. The Government has announced its intention of adhering to the vital principle of the Bill—that of election. It is conceivable that the Government might go as far in the way of compromise as to accept a Council with 75 per cent, of elected members and the remainder nominated : but it is considered probable that the Council will ask for more, and suggest either a half-and-half nominated and elective Council or one appointed by some secondary method of election. In the event of no agreement being arrived at, the alternative left to the Government would be to go to the country in support of its Bill in 1914, and afterwards (the Council having by that time lost 15 of its present members) to appoint enough new Councillors to ensure the passage of the Bill.