LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1574, 2 June 1887, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1.

The Council met at 2 30 p.m. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT. A Bhort discussion took place on Mr Millar's motion to adjourn the Council. He took the opportunity to Beverly critioUe tho financial position of the colony, and nald it was quito time ri^id and uncompromising economy should be practised. THIS REPRESENTATION BILL Mr Reynolds moved the second reading of the Representation Bill, which, after a brief diaousslon, was agraed to. Mr Reynolds moved that the Bill be committed to-morrow. Dr Pollen moved »n amendment that the Bill be committed presently. He argued that a disolution was conditional on the Bill passing, and that w&s his reason for now opposing the Government. He denitd that he was actuated by party considerations. Mr Olllver said that, as the present Parliament expired m August, unless a new BUI were passed before the Ist December, the Constitution of New Zoaland would oease, and could only be revived by an Imperial Act. He couildered that the Government desire was to make the passage of the Bill a consideration for Government proposals m mother place being agreed to. The debate was interrupted by the 5 o'clock adjournment. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. The debate waa resumed on the question of the committal of the Representation Bill.

Mr Shrlmski, Cblonel Brett, Mr Richmond, Mr Lahman, and Mr Barniooat, ■poke briefly. Mr Reynolds said that anyone would reient the threat that If they did not pass the Bill other members would.

Or Pollen denied that be had expressed more than a deiire to help his hon friend to pass th« Bill. Mr Reynolds said he did not understand It so. However, ho might say that they had promised the Governor to do their ntmont to pass the Bill, but ilmre was no neoasslty to do it that night. Possibly it might be found necessary to •mend it some particulars. Mr Maclean said they were anxious to hold the Government to fulfil its pledge to Hit Exoellenoy. He (Mr McLean) feared that the Oounoil were being made tools of.

Mr Bookley said he felt io humiliated by the attempt to take this Bill out of proper hands that, but for a tease of hit fwponslbllity, he would hare waited ont of the Chamber and never entered It •gain. Party spirit had been imported Into the matter, for it waa well known that certain members had outside the House expressed their intention of driving the Government off the benches. Government had every intention of passing the Bill, bat they wanted to do it their own WftV The amendment was carried by 21 to U.

Mr Buckley refused to take charge of the measure, and Dr Pollen offered to do io.

The whole of the clauses were passed without comment or amendment, and, after a brief protest from Me Shrimeki against the course whioh had been pur ■ned, the Bill was finally passed. The Bleotcral Aots Amendment Bill was paised through all its stages. The Council rose at 9 p.m.