LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3998, 31 July 1913, Page 6

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM.

YESTERDAY’S DEBATE. [BY TELEG RAPII —PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT f WELLINGTON, July 30. In the Legislative Council yesterday tlieli debate on the Legislative Council Bill was resumed by Mr Samuels, who reviewed at great length the proposals made in past years to alter the constitution of the Legislative Council, the effect of which was to convince him of two things—that a change in the constitution of the Council was necessary. He was not now disposed to summarily repeal the Bill, but ho I'clt that more information was necessary and consequently moved as an amendment to the second reading “That a committee be appointed to take into consideration the circumstances, powers, and . pro:educe of the Council with a view to suggesting any amendments or'alterations in the constitution of the Council or otherwise as such committee may deem expedient, the committee to have power to call persons and papers, and to report in three weeks, such committee to consist of nine persons, to be selected as the Council may, by resolution, direct.” Mr Ormond, in seconding the amendment, said the purpose of the postponement of the Bill last session had not been achieved, as neither members nor Ministers had discussed the matter with the electors. The inference was that the question was not a burning one in the country. The Bill was still imperfect, but he did not care to reject it without first endeavoring to gather all the possible information regarding the proposed change in the constitution of the Council. Mr Bell stated that lie could not accept the amendment as a substitution for the second reading, but if the Council would affirm the principle that a change was necessary he would accept it on the motion to go into committee on the Bill. The Council then rose at 4.20 till 8 p.m. to give Councillors an opportunity to consider the Minister’s suggestion. On resuming the debate was taken up by Mr Mills, who urged the gathering of greater information concerning the effect of the Bill and that was the object of the amendment. That was the lesson brought home by the review of the past history of the movement given by Mr Samuels. He said there was a great disadvantage in electing the Council by popular vote, tie i referred election by members of Parliament as vacancies occur. Mr Rigg said there were appointees who had not expressed views on '•he Bill, and he censured Mr Earnshaw's reference to “Red Feds.” The mews of Labor Leaders bad changed on the question of syndicalism—they had been mellowed by experience. Labor, however, would demand a greater share in her representation in the Council in the near future. Ho was against the elective system, but would assist the Minister to make the Bill workable if it got into committee. He would vote for the amendment, but if the Bill was not improved, be would vote against the second reading. Mr Carncross said the Bill could be killed that night if they so desired, hut they did not wish to do that. The amendment was moved in tlie hope of finding a way out of the difficulty. Ho asked the Minister to accept it in the spirit in which it had been offered. The debate was adjourned.