HC Deb 19 April 1872 vol 210 cc1617-8

Order for Committee read.

MR. COLLINS

said, he rose to call the attention of the Government to the way in which the representation of towns upon Town Councils was effected, so far as regarded elections to the dignity of Alderman, for, in his opinion, the principle which regulated aldermanic elections was by no means a good one. In the City of London the Aldermen were elected by each ward, but in provincial Town Councils the Aldermen were elected by the majority of the councillors, and instead of forming a fair representation of the whole town, they only represented that majority who had chosen them. He thought that was a vicious system of representation, and he did not believe that anything could be said in its favour. Now that the Government were dealing with the question of municipal corporations, he thought it was their duty to take some steps for getting rid of that blot upon the municipal system, for it was a scandal on their representative system in their Town Councils that it should be confined to a mere representation of the majority of the Council. The election of Aldermen should be by the wards, the same as in London, instead of by the Town Council. He would, therefore, move that it be an Instruction to the Committee that they have power, by means of the cumulative vote, to provide for the proportional representation of the Town Council on the Aldermanic Bench.

MR. MORRISON

seconded the Motion.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That it be an Instruction to the Committee) that they have power, by means of the cumulative vote, to provide for the proportional representation of the Town Council on the Aldermanic Bench."—(Mr. Collins.)

MR. BRUCE

, while admitting the importance of the question raised, said, it was not a fitting time then to bring it forward, as the Bill had only been introduced to meet a special object.

MR. WHEELHOUSE

, in condemning the present system, said, that it had been so worked in Leeds that, from the passing of the Municipal Act up to that time, neither a Conservative Mayor nor a Conservative Alderman had been able to secure his election in that borough. All the officers of the corporation were of one particular political opinion.

MR. GOURLEY

considered the present law to be satisfactory, and hoped it would not be altered.

MR. CARTER

denied that corporation officials at Leeds were selected for their political opinions.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Bill considered in Committee, and reported; as amended, to be considered upon Monday next.

House adjourned at a quarter after One o'clock, till Monday next.