ELECTIVE COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11756, 21 July 1916, Page 7

ELECTIVE COUNCIL.

PROPOSED SUSPENSION OF ACT. THE BILL DISODBSED. i [Per Peess Association.] WELLINGTON, July 20. In tho Legislative Council this afternoon, the Hon Sir Francis Bell moved the second reading of the Legislative Council Act Amendment Bill to suspend tho coming into operation of the Legislative Council Act. He traced the history of tho Act, and said that Mr Maasey and the Reform Party wore of the firm opinion that it should be mado the law of the' land. They were as determined in 1916 as they were in 1912. After two rojections, tho Bill in 1914 became law. Mon had been called to the Council whose views were known to be in sympathy with the Government on this question, but no pledge had been asked. The date of the coming into operation of the Act had been advanced so as to permit of any other Government that might havo been elected making any change it considered necessary. The election resulted in a majority of one for tho Government. Tho war then developed, and the National Government was formed in the interests of tho country. He was disappointed that the experiment would not bo made next year, but as a matter of fair play to both sides it could not be mado until after a general election. That was why it was proposed to amend the Act by substituting the first day of January, 1920, for the first day of January, 1916. Every member who assented to tho formation of the National Government was bound to support the arrangement. Unless an agreement had been made between the leaders of the two political parties, it would not havo been possible to havo formed a National Government.

Thfc Hon .J. Barrr moved an amendment to the effect that the- Act of 1914 should/he repealed. Ho ■referred to the Act as a favourite, spoiled child of the leader. Last year it had to be put back in tho cradle in its swaddling clothes, and now it had to be put back again for another four years. Would it not be wiser, ho asked, to put, the poor thing out of its misery at once? He argued against an elective second chamber, and contended that it would' be preferable to repeal the Act rather than to postpone it. Tho Hon J. T. Paul expressed himBclf in favour of an elective Upper House." Ho said he believed that the National Government was, as it must be, a bulwark of Conservatism. He disliked the Bill, but would vote for it. The postponement of the Act was necessary as part of the bargain made between tho parties, but the making of that bargain was a betrayal of the democracy of this country. The Hon H F. Wigram said he should oppose the amendment. He understood that party politics were to be kept in the background during the life of the National Government. Tho Hon A. T. Maginnity supported the second reading of the Bill. Thepassing of the measure would keep faith with the other political party. The Hon R. Moor© regarded the Bill as tho national sequence of previous legislation on the subject. Tho Hon G. Carson defended the formation of the National Government, and asked what els<s could have been done, especially as tho Cabinet composed of the best men on both sides. He had supported the principle of election of tho Council for many years, and ho hoped to see it tho law of the country. The Hon Sir W. Hall-Jones candidly confessed that he did not like the Bill, and asked why the postponement .until 1920. He believed an arrangement could have been made between the two parties in the Cabinet,, which .was called a National Government, but which he called a' coalition. He would vote for the maintenance of the present position. The Hon W. Boehau said he would vote for tho amendment. Ho favoured the nominative system. The Hon G. Jones mov,ed the adjournment of the debate. The motion was carried.