HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1563, 20 May 1887, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thubsday, May 19. The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions It waj stated that arrangements were being made to provide for the pryrnent of deferred thirds to looal bodies direct; that it was only the exigencies of the Bervice and vacanoleß that necessitated the removal of enginedrivers and firemen from one part of the colony to another ; that a Bill would be introduced next session making the Ha. bility of owners of vessels whose property is seizad on aooount of smuggling by their employees, not to exceed £500; that 17,600 acres of land m Seaward Bash hai been brought under the State Forests Aot, and when it was sufficiently cleared of buah it would be thrown open. HOSPITALS AND OFAVI TABLE INSTIICTIOaS. Mr Beetham introduced a Bill to amend the Hospitals and Charitable iDßtitutiono Aot lßßs. FINANCIAL STATEMENT, Mftjoe Atkinson asked Government whoa the discussion on the Financial Statement would be taken. Sir Julius Yogel hopod it would bo gono on with vtxK day, as It was very desirable the country should know as soon as possible what alterations were made m the tariff. THK TABIFF. The Colonial Treasurer gave notice that he intended to move tho second reading of the Customs Tariff Bill next evening. Major Atkinson suggested that it would be better to postpone it till Wednesday. As Tuesday was a holiday, they could take the private members' day. The Treasurer said that if a hostile motion were to be made, the debate would necessarily go right on. Mr Rolleßton preferred sitting on the Qieen's Birthday. He also compalned that tho Grown lands report was not yet oiroulated, Mr B tilanoe said the report would be down m good time for Mr Rolleston to disouaa it m the Gnano'a' debate. ADJOURNMRNT. The Premier gave notice to move tomorrow that t!ie Houae adjourn till Wednesday, UNIVERSITIES Mrfcevostam movecrthe mcond road ing cf tho New Zealand Uutreraity Amendment Bill, He complained that the Univeraity had gone beyond its power m dlsafliliatlng Nelson College. It should be merely an examining body and Bhonld be obliged to examine anyone who presented himself, Pro f eßsors of the three affiliated colleges had matters too much their own way. The Bill also provided for the abolition of senators powers to vote by proxy. The Premier said that tho whole object of the Bill was to crush out the present University Colleges, and throw their work on to hiph schools, or else to rehabilitate Nelson College. To the minor provisions bo did not particuiarly object, but the whole drift of educational reform nt Rome was m the direction of making Universities teaching and not more examining bodies. The professors were not dominant on tho University Senato, as Mr Levestam alleged. He begged Mr Lovestarn not to proes tho Biii this session, remarking that no doubt m time Nelson would, liko othtr places, have to hare a University College of its own. Major Atkinson said tho University statutes distinctly provided that it should only ho a teaching body, and the Premier's remarks wera consequently as muoh against the University as against the Bill. He hoped to see the whole question of higher education shortly dealt with m a comprehensive manner. The Premier remarked that he would withdraw his opposition to the sejond reading. Sir George Grey thought too much credit muet not be given to Universities whioh fomctlmea crammed or strangled great intellects, He advised Mr Lovestarn not to drop the Bill if he got it read a second time. . After some further discussion the Bill was road a seoond time. LIMITATION OP VOTES. In Committee on tho Limitation of Voteß Bill O»ptain Sutter moved an amendment giving power to vote for the election of members of the House m two electorates instead of o'r»e. - Carried by 28 to 25. The Bill wai paesad through Committee and Sir George Groy immediately moved Its recommittal to reoormidor the r'.teration. The former deoiahn was maintained b/ 82 to 27. ' WOMVNSCFF.'AOB. The Woman Suffrage Bill waa considered m Committee. In olause 2 Mr Ivees moved on amendment restricting tho franchise to women who are property holders m their own right. Sir Julius Yogel pointed our that this would destroy the equilibrium of the franchije. Mr Montgomery wished to confine it (o woman who were ratepayers and graduates of the Univereity. Mr Levoß'am suggested that unrrarrled women (should be allowed io votr. Mr Turnboll ppposed the whole Bill end urged various reasons against women having seats In the House. ' Qe would, however, yield so far as to give votes to qualified women who we/c not married but thought the introduction of the graduate question dangerouß and Improper. Mr J. W, Thompson moved to report progress. Lost by 26 to 19. Mr Bruce suggested they should post. 1 pone the Bill, and set on to more useful measures 'ike the Honorarium Bill. Considerable opposition wbh shown to the passage of the Bill, and Sir" J. Yogel ift'dred to put m a proviso that it should aot come into operation till after next ijoueral eleotion. Several motions to report progress or that the Chairman .leave the chair wore put and Joaji. ' ' Evontually Mr Iveas' 'amgndment was lost by 28 to 31, and on a further division clause 2 was rejected by 21 to 19. Progress was then reported, tod the Bouse rose At 1 20 Djni,