LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2031, 18 August 1920, Page 10

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

PROVISION FOR ELECTION. NEW BILL INTRODUCED. [From Our Own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 17. The Legislative Council Amendment Bill, which appeared in the Upper House to-day, fulfils the Government's promise that an opportunity would be provided for further consideration of the Legislative Council Act, 1914, making the Council elective on the proportional representation system before* the measure is proclaimed. The new Bill provides that the election of the Council shall begin from the date to be proclaimed, the date not to be within 12 months of the date of proclamation. It postpones the operation of the elective proposals, and, at the same time, provides opportunity for the discussion of the elective principle. The Hon. Sir Francis Bell (Attor-ney-General), in introducing the Bill, explained that Parliament was being given an opportunity to revise the law now on the Statute Book making the Council elective. He emphasised that neither he nor the Government had changed their opinion regarding the original Act, and that members were not being Invited to destroy the elective principle on which that Act was based. Sir Francis Bell added that, under the proposals of the Government, the four electorates—two for each island—would be divided by lines 1 drawn east and west, so that they would be practically Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago decorates. The Government was taking power to appoint two Ministers to the Council, in order that it might have its own direct representatives there.

The debate was adjourned until next Tuesday.