COUNCIL REFORM.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12889, 24 July 1913, Page 5

COUNCIL REFORM.

The Legislative Council to-day did not touch upon the measure dealing with its reform, as the afternoon was- practically occupied with the formalities attendant upon conveying the Addross-in-ivoply to the Governor. To-monw the debate on the Bill will be resumed by til* Hon. J. R. Sinclair. Ifc is not impiobable that the Bill will receive comparatively favourable treatment from •ittombersl

Some members quite opposed to the measure.in principle anticipate that it wiJi pass the second reading stage and bo amended in committee in an attempt to make it a working measure. One amendment suggested has reference to the basis of election. Objection is taken ia both Chambers being elected by the Mmp body of electors, and the amending clause may take the line suggested ftweral times last year, namely, that a proportion of the Upper Council shall be elected at set times by the House of Jteijresentafcwes and the " Legislative Council together. This is somewhat on thf lines of the Norwegian system, and is expected to remove the objection that an Upper House elected by the people would be moulded on party lines, a.» is th© case in the present Lower Chamber. Upon the point of the passfcpe of th© Bill, it wa s pointed out by si member that at present the Council occupied a better position in the eves of the people than ever before. Their afti-on, last year showed that they wore r-:^j>Med to give the Government mearu os fair consideration. The same

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would be the case this year, and the "Bciorm" Bill would in many respects i <:::'•}ve favourable treatment.