LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM BILL.

Patea Mail, Volume XXXIX, 20 July 1914, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM BILL.

The legislative Council Reform Bill, which will be shortly under discussion in the Upper Chamber, ia practically the same measure that was introduced last year, the only alteration being the postponement of the operation of the Act until January 1, 1916. The first election of councillors therefore, will not take place until the first general eleotion of the House of Representatives after the year 1915: J The system of electing members of the Council, according to the. Bill is to> be •on the system of proportional representation. The Bill provides for four electoral divisions, two in each Island, The total number of members is forty. , .Each North Island division until the alteration will, except at the first oleotion, return eleven members,, making 22 in all, and eaoh South Island electorate will (except at the first election) return nine members making 18 in all, but at the first election the number for eleotion is to be twenty-four, seven from each of the North Island electorates, and five from each of the South Island electorates. -^,