PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1728, 6 December 1887, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ~gg Mondat — December 5.

The Honeso met at 2 30 p m. SLAUGHTER HOUSE BILL. The Slaughter-house Act Amendment Bill was received from tho Legislative Council, and read a first time. KEPRESENTATION BILL. The Premier moved the second readirjg of the Representation Act Amendment Bill, to reduce the number of meraberß to seventy, including three Maori members. He Biiid he should reserve his remarks on the Bill till hB replied to the arguments brought against it. The principle of it ' had been fully discussed last year. Mr Taiwhanga opposed the Bill bs it would do away with one Maori member. Sir Julius Yogel taid that while he recognised that a large number of constituencies bad demanded a reduction of the number of members, he still thought the passing of a Bill of this kind would cause intense dissatisfaction, especially m the country districts. - Mr Downie Stewart supported the Bill. Mr Carroll opposed the Bill, He said that the House should either do away with special Maori representation altogether, or they should not reduce the number of Maori members. Mr Taipua also opposed the Bill. Mr Seddon baid that hid heart sank within him when he saw wbat little notice was taken of the Premier's short, pithy, speech m introducing ihis Bill He strongly opposed this measure as being calculated to do immense injustice to the colony, and he appealed to fcir George brey to come forward, and by his eloquence, endeavor to stop the Bill. He moved that further consideration of the Bill be postponed till the financial measures of the Government were dealt with, Mr Samuel seconded the amendment. He condemned the Bill, as it proposed to place legislation m the hands of a few, It would inflict great injury on the weaker classes. The Bill would also facilitate log-rolling m every direction, and there would be noth'ng but dissatisfaction all over the colony owing to this Bill.

Sit George Grey opposed the Bill. He Bald that it oonld very well stand over till next session, especially aa the Premier had stated that none bat finanoial questions were to be dealt with this session. Mr Fisher said that if the Bill did not pass this session it would not be passed during the present Parliament, as It was one disadvantage of triennial Parliaments that snch large meaeurea of reform could cot be paßeed except they were brought down m the first session. He denied that the Bill would canse any dissatisfaction; , Mr Soobie McKeDzie opposed the Bill. He said that they were asked to go back m their whole history to make a change which would effect no Having at all. Mr Fergus said that one unanswerable argument m favcr of the Bill waa that it waa passed m the last Parliament, and it was only by a piece of political jugglery that the number was restored to its old status. He declared that the country would emphatically declare m favcr of a reduction of tbe number of members. Mr W. P. Reeveß, Mr Taylor, and Dr Hodgkinßon supported the Bill. Mr Kerr and Mr Marchant opposed it The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7-30 p.m. Mr Hobbs objected to the redaction of tha Maori representatives, but would support the second reading and move m Committee that the Maori members be not reduced.

Mr Menteath thought that if the Bill ras accompanied by a Local Government SHI it would benefit the colony. He fould sapport the second reading, but hould prefar the Bill being postponed mtil Government brought town the whole | if their policy cext session Colonel Fraser Bnpported the Bill, and idvlsed Government to pußh it through all ts stages. As to the Maori representation, 10 woald prefer to see it abolished. Mr Pyke spoke In opposition to the BHI. Mr Allen thought that Now Zealend sompared with any other country Id the irorld, was vastly overgoveroed. He lupporied the Bill. Mr Grlmmond opposed the Bill. Mr Leveatem would not object to the 'eduction of country members, provided ,he town representation wan also reduced. Mr Bruce supported the Bill, though he regretted that Government had not thought it advisable to give seamen representation. Mr Pratt cou'd oee no good reason for reducing the number of membare, and would therefore oppose the Becond reading. Mr MeKerzte (Clutha) eald that if Qovrrnment had eimp'y asked the House to pffirm the principle of reduction he would have supported the Bill with greater freedom than ha now did. The Bill he thought should provide for the amalgamation of city electorates, and the alteration of the franchise. If this were done it would bs an immense benefit to the colony. Mr Anderson supported the Bill, but objected to reducing the Maori representation, Mr Buzton opposed the Bill, as country districts would practically be disfranchised The reduction of the honorarium would, he thought, play into the bands of the moneyed class and adversely to working men. If the reduction of members were carried the honorarium Bhould be increased to £3CO Mr Barron hoped the Bill would pass In its present form as he saw little to object : to even m details. Mr O'Oallaghan did not think there wore too.many members m the Houso, but while he could not Bupport the drastic reduction proposed by the Government he would be quite willing to support a reduction In tho number of membora to 84; Mr Buchanan hailed the BUI wilh the greatest pleasure, and regretted a reduction had not been made laßt session. Mr Tnrnbull opposed the Bill, a3 by the time it had come into operation there poßslbly would ba no necessity for it. Major Steward (Waimate) supported the Becond reading, but much regretted that the Bill had been brought forward In this exceptional session, aa there was co little time to be spared. There waa no justification for a Ministor bringing down the measure this session. Mr GoUdlo was pledged to support the Bill, and ho would oven go further than proposed by Government, aad redupe the number of members to fifty. In committee be would move that the number of meraberß bo fifty. Mr B. Thompson (Marsden) hoped that nothing would persuade the Government to withdraw the Bill. Mr Cadman supported the Bill and eaid he would move m committee for repealing the Maori Representation Act and then leave Government to deal with the question as to whether it is advisable to place the natives on the samo fooling as the Europeans. Mr Blake intended to voto for tho second reading m ordor to affirm the principle of reducing the number of members. Ho was favorable to full representation being given to the cities. Mr Beetham Bpoko m support of the secord reading, but mentioned that unless tho ooun'ry was given a greater margin than was proposed m the Bill he might possibly vote against tho third reading. Mr Reevea (Jfcangahna) intended to give his vote for tho second reading, but he would-be glad to Bee It proposed ia the Bill- that it should not take effect until after the next census who taken, The re»presentation of to rob should be curtailed,

and an increase madd m that of tenitory and country. The motion for tho adjjurnment was lost on the volcas. Mr Moss would vote for the seoond reading as he had always maintained that the number should be reduced. He would like to see an amendment moved on the motion for the third reading that the Bill go no further until the GovernmoDt bring down their loc.il government policy. Mr Guineas moved the adjournment, but Major Atkinson objected. The motion for the second reading was carried on the voices, and Mr Seddon's amendment was lost. Mr Seddeu then gave notice to move on the committal of tho Bill, that it is undesirable to proceed further with the meißure until come legislation m the direction of local eolf-governmeatis introduced by Government. The House adjourned at 12.30 a.m.