The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1886. The Representation Bill.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1315, 14 August 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1886. The Representation Bill.

The Representation Bill, introduced by the Premier, was rejected in the House of Representatives last night by a majority of three. The debate which immediately preceded the final rejection of the measure was certainly the most extraordinary that has occurred in the House during the present session, and the division list is one of the most singular that has yet been recorded in our Parliamentary annals. On the motion for the committal of the Bill, Mr Macandrew moved as an amendment —“ That it is inadvisable, at this late period of the session, that the Representation Bill should be proceeded with any further until next session, and that Parliament should be summoned, for the despatch of business not later than the fust week in May next.” Previous to this the Premier had announced that unless a substantial majority of the House were in favor of the Bill he would not proceed with it, and that even were it passed the Board it proposed to create could not commence the work of redistribution until the early part of next year. Never was a measure introduced with fainter advocacy, and 'it is no wonder that a large majority of the Ministerial party were found voting in opposition to the ir chief. Three Ministers and both the Government whips voted against the committal of the Bill, a circumstance which appeared to particularly incense Major Atkinson, who followed the division by a very vigorous attack upon the Premier and the Government, The Major was too angry to make the most of the peculiar position of affairs, but he administered some hard hits to the Premier and his colleagues, and even after the well-considered reply of the Colonial Treasurer held a distinct advantage so far as the logical representation of the case was concerned. There can be no doubt that the Premier has dallied and trifled with this question and his protestation of a determination to introduce the same measure at the early part of next session, will not save him from the adverse criticism of an indignant country. As matters stand at present the next general election cannot take place until November, 18S7, and in the meantime the Government will be able on all occasions to take protection undei the completed Representation Bill The Opposition will not venture to move a want-of-confidence motion, which might bring about an appeal to the country, until the representation shall be adjusted, and this practically secures the present Ministers in office until the session of 1888 —two years hence. Had the Premier really been in earnest about this matter he could have passed the Bill last night, and although he made a pretence of supporting the measure it was only a pretence, and he must accept the responsibility connected with the delay of this very necessary reform.