EVENING SITTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1549, 4 May 1887, Page 3

EVENING SITTING.

REPRESENTATION BILL. The House went into Committee on the Representation BUI, A long debate ensued m regard to clause 2; •' Permanent commission for adjustment of repreentntion." Several amendments were proposed bat all last. Sir R. Stout then moved to Insert a clause, providing for a '• member of the General Assembly " not being eligible for the Commission, Agreed to. In Bubclau*e|of o'auae 3, referring to the number of members. Sir R. Stoat said he originally expressed himself m favor of a redaction to eighty-nix members, but; he should now move to laiert the present number (nlnetyonp), m order to give members an opportunity of moving amendments, for a redaction. Mr Barron moved an amendment — "That the House should be reduoed to ■Ixtv members." Mr Pyke said he should now move an amendment he had given notice of — " That Hare' 3 system of representation be adopted." Sir R. Stoat said the proper time to move that amendment was on the proposal to go into Ootr»mlttee, Mr Pyke asked the Chairman's ruling ai to whether he oould move his amendment. The Chairman ruled that he could not move it at that stage. Sir R, Stout said he was willing to withdraw his proposal for oinety-one members, m order that Mr Barron's amendment for Bixty members should be pat first, Sir B. Stout moved—" 1 hat the claaae be altered to as to provide that the Commissioner should divide the colony into electorates three months after the passing of this Act, instead of three months after the present session " Mr J. 0. Baokland moved—" That the number of members be reduoed to fifty " Mr Bryce could not support such a low Dumber as fifty, but he would be prepared to vote for a reduction to sixty, which would be more like the proportion of members m ether colonies. Sir R. Stout hoped the House would not consent to fifty. He thought it would be unwise to make such a reduction as that, and coun ry district 8 wovld suffer materially by it. Mr Gore thought any reduction of members would be a - retrogado movement He suppoeed it was proposed on the score of economy, but he thought economy could be effected m other directions m a better way. Mr Downie Stewart said Mr Bryce was member of a Ministry that increosed the number of members six years ago. He thought it would be a retrogade step to reduce the number of members. Mr Turnbull would supprot Mr Barron's f>ropoenl for sixty. He hoped Mr Buckana would withdraw his amendment for fifty m order that it might not endanger the passing of JAi Barron's amendment. Mrßarron's amendment for filling up the Wank with sixty wos put and lost by 43 to 33. Mr Fergus moved a reduotion to ■eventy-five. Sir R. Stout hoped the House would not s«nctioo this reduction, The result of reducing the members would be to give the towns advantage, and the country districts would suffer. Mr Peacock would not be prepared to vote for seventy five, but he thought some redaction might I c made m the present number, Mr J» MoKeozle moved—' 1 That (he number be seventy-one." Mr Walker opposed any redaction. Ho felt convinced if the House reduced its number it would be a most pernicious itep baokw»rds Mr W, F. Buokland was certain the country was orylng out for a redaction of members, and he should support any reduction m cumbers. Mr Mo Arthur would vote for keeping , the present number, as he did not think the country was over represented at all. He hoped no reduotion would bo made Mr Bolleston would trote for a reduction la the hope that clause 3 would bo altered very considerably m favor of oountry districts. He thought the Commlision should have instructions to amalgamate country constituencies. Be was of opinion that very large economy would shortly have to be practised, not only m tbeir own honorarium, bat In many other directions. Mr Brace supported the rednotion of members, because email as the economy might be, he thought it should be taken Into consideration In the present condition of affairs. He also thought it would have the result of returning better men to the House. After some further dbounsion . Mr Downie Stewart moved to report progress, which was agreed to, and the House rose at 11.35 p.m.