HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1729, 7 December 1887, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, December 6

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Premier moved that the House on its rising adjourn till 11 o'clock to-morrow for the purpose of replying to questions only. Me should prefer if the House | desired It m order to save time, to reply i to the questions In wifitlog. Mr Turnbull moved the adjournment of the Houßa to protest against qaostlons balng replied to m writing. He said he had a question on the Order Paper relating to the taxation of absentee pro* prietors. He spoke at some length on the whole question of taxation. Mr O'Conor moved that replies to question? be replied to to-morrow by Ministers m writing. If this coarae were adopted it voald enable Ministers to attend to the ÜBUal committee work. Sir Julius Vofiel, on a point of order, asked the Speaker whether the Government, having a majoriy at its back, could without notice alter the whole course of procedure. J.f the motion were agreed to, it would alter tha whole practice of the Honae. The Speaker Bald he would not rule that it was not m tho province of the House to alter the Byatem of replying to questions. A lengthy discussion enßued, Sir Julius Yogel, Mr Fteh, Major Steward, and other members protecting against tha course proposed to be taken by JGovernmont. The Premier's motion was eventually put and carried, A motion was aho agreed to that Committees should Bit to-morrow while the House was sitting. KEPRESENTA'II'N BI L On the motion for the Comralfcteo on the Representation Act Amendment Bill, Me Whyte referred to the Injustice which country districts would Buffer by this Bill. He explained that he bad given notice to move m Committee for an increase of the percentage m favor of country districts from 18 por cent to 25 per cent. Mr Pish, Mr Talpua, and Mr Pratt, spoke at length against the Bill, The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. The Houbo resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Pratt said that he underotood the Government were willing to make a oompromiae respecting the Bill. Mr Seddon said that if so, tbe arrangement would be made to suit particular members. He intimated his intention of moving as an amendment — "That it is inadvisable that the Representation Bill should proceed further than its seoond reading until some suitable form of local self-government shall have rendered dependence on Parliament for looal worka unnecessary.

Mr Porcoval opposed the Bill, bat would be willing to support a reasonable redaction m the number of members, though he aaw no necessity for the measure this session. Mr Bruce supported the Bill as a temporary measure. Sir Julias Yogel thought It wao time to go into Committee ao as to decide the question whether the Bill was to be proceeded with or not. He intended to vote for the amendment, as he believed that the constituencies Bhould have an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the subject. He objected to the portion of the Bill that provided that the commissioners Bhould only aotSwhen direoted by the Governor. If the Bill passed he should propose that tbe coanmisaionera act forthwith. Dr Hodgklneon asked If Mr Seddon'a amendment would be taken as a No Oonfidenoe motion. If so he Bhonld vote against it. If Government gave a promise that local self-Goverament would be conaidered during the recess he would not support the amendment. Mr O'Oonor explained that he had supported tbe late Government In the previous Parliament, but; had come to this Parliament unpledged. He intended to Bopport the Bill, Sir George Grey complained that a number of neoesaary measures which would be of real benefit to the CDlony were put off to make woy for a maaa of rubbish. Ho would joip any mambera who retused to proceed a step further with this Bill till the financial measures of Government wore brought down. The time wasted over this Bill was quite Buffiaient to have passed the measarea he Bpoke of- The Bill waa not necessary, and by harrying It Government wore aotiog unfairly to the whole population. The Premier aaked Sir George Grey to point to one single useful piece of legislation he had ever passed to benefit the working man. Ho twitted Sir George Grey with establishing a landed arlstocraoy In Canterbury. He asserted that Sir George Grey Basiated him (tb.9 Premier) to his present position, and because ho would not bow to his (Sir George Groy'o) dictation, he attacked the Government. He considered this was one of their polioy Bills, and every effort would ba made to carry It this Besaion, Local government had nothing to do with it. If there waa a chance of bringing down a oompleto scheme of looal govern ment next session, he would do bo. One of the members who talked of local government bud never made a suggestion to Government, though he had often asked for It. Government wished to have the number of the House definitely tiled, as the whole system of registration would have to be altered next year. With regard to the Maorla, be had been told that they were willing to give up the privilege of voting at European elections If thf y were allowed to retain their present number of members. He was prepared to leave that portion of the Bill oat, and next year aak the House to agree to the Natives retaining four members, and to deprive them of voting for Europeans, He wished it to bs distinctly understood that the Bill was a Government measure. Major Steward moved the adjournment of the Houaa. Sir Jaliua Yogel explained that It was his wish to help the Bill into Committee, aud he defended Sir George Grey from the attack mada agalnat him by the Premier. He felt that If the Premier lived for a hundred years he would never O"MIYr a tithe of the b6nefit on tbe colony thit till? George Grey had, and he would nevov make auoh ac Indelible Impreaelpn

as that honorable member had made; lla.itit; btc-m> aw»r» u>ao this Bill was the forerunner of others of which the House'knew nothing, he should take all means m bis power to prevent it passing i this session. Sit George Grey, referring to the Premier's attack on him, said that be was sorry he had been bo much trouble to the Home, He denied having set up a landed aristocrßoy m Canterbury, bat, on the other hand, he had used every effort to set the people on the land. Mr M >.»s would not aupporj; the •-mendment, as Government regarded it as a No Confidence motion, and he would do nothing calculated to assist Sir Julias Vo;*el m regaining power. Mr Cirroll denied that any oompaot wai arraugod with Government so far as the Native members were concerned, and if left alone the Maori representatives could wall take care of themselves. The motion for the Adjournment was loßt on the voice?. / Mr Seddon withdrew h!a amendment. The motion to go Into Committee wu carried by 42 to 21. The flou3e went into Committee on the BiH. Mr Moss moved that the Bill come Into operation on the 31st December, 1888. The motion was lost by 63 to 5. An amendment moved by Mr Downie Stewart was carried against the Govern* merit, and tbe House adjourned. [Our correspond ent supplies further information m regard to the effect of the amendment carried]