HOUSE OF BEPBESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume xxx, Issue 9450, 28 September 1899, Page 4

HOUSE OF BEPBESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30.

On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Seddon intimated that he regarded it as one of no-confidence. The motion by Capt. Russell is that no more appointments be made to the Legislative Council until the Parliav ment shortly to be elected had an opportunity of reviewing the constitu* tion of that branch of legislature, and that such a review, having become in the opinion of the House,' an imperative necessity under the circumstances.

The Premier declined to proceed -with any other business until the motion was disposed of. Oapt. Russell contended that the Council as at present constituted was merely a party machine to register the will of the I'remier and that the appointments thereto should not be made upon the nomination of one man in the interests of the country. The position had become intolerable, and a reform was demanded from all quarters. Such appointments should not be made from rejects of people. Mr Seddon sarcastically referred to the amendment as a catch to all amendments and really meant that no fresh appointments should be made to the Council until the Conservative Party came into power. He contended that the appointments that had been made had been "'fully justified by results, and declared the intention of the Government to take the responsi bility of making fresh appointments at once.

Messrs Wason and J. Allen followed in support ot the amendment. The House adjourned at 5,30. EvEirara Sitting.

The House met at 7.30.

Mr J. Allen continued, expressing a hope that the question of the constitution of the Council should be left to the decision of the constituents at the forthcoming elections. Mr Morrison considered that the electors of the colony had already had two opportunities of deciding whether the question ef the elective of the Upper House should be left with the Government, and on each occasion had decided in the affirmative.

Mr Taylor contended for the abolishing of the Council altogether, but as an instalment of reform was prepared to accept ah elective Chamber. Mr Miller saw no necessity for an •lective Council, and was prepared for his constituents on the subject. Mr G. Hutchison said the system which nominated the Upper House was thoroughly wrong and had been discarded by all the Australian colonies except two. .. *

The House adjourned at 10.30. Sebtember 28.

After the Telegraph Office closed Messrs Hogg, La wry, * and Fisher opposed the amendment, and Messrs Massev, J. Hutcheson, Crowther, and Pirani supported it. On being put the amendment was lost by 33 to 28. The House then went into Committee of Supply.

Mr Pirani moved to report progress. The Premier objected, but after an hour's discussion he gave way, and progress was reported, the House rising a t 3.30.