LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1934, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

SIR J. ALLEN REAPPOINTED.

NEW APPOINTMENTS PENDING.

The reappointment of the Hon. Sir James Allen as a member, of the Legislative Council was announced by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, yesterday. Sir James’ term expired on Thursday last. Two other members, the Hons. R. Scott and G. J. Smith, are due to retire next month, and the Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones in October. Mr. Forbes said he was not yet in a position to announce" future appointments. The question was still under consideration by the Government. The Council has never before had such a small membership, and the position is emphasised by the fact that the average age of members at the present time is 73 years. For a period in 1918 there were only 20 members, but for the most part the strength has been over 40. In 1885 and 1886 the peak period was reached with a membership of 53. When the present Coalition Government was formed the membership of the Council was 33. and since then it has gradually dwindled. Only four reappointments, those of the Hons. S. Francis Bell. C. J. Carrington, J. A. Hanan and Sir James Allen, have been approved. Frequent suggestions have been made to the Government for further appointments, and recently the names of two likely members ha- been mentioned. The Government has, however, made no announcement of its policy in the matter. Last session the Government had under reorganisation of the Chamber, so as to make it partly an elective body. The present members of the Council are as follow: Sir James Allen, R. Scott, G. J. Smith, Sir W. Hall-Jones, Colonel W. E. Collins, J. MacGregor, R. Moore, W. H. Mclntyre, W. W. Snodgrass, D. Buddo, M. Fagan, R. McCallum, R. Masters, W. Stevenson, J. Trevethick, Sir W. Camcross, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, C. J. Carrington, J. Hanan,