HOUSE OFRPPRESENTATIVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1730, 8 December 1887, Page 2

HOUSE OFRPPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, December 7. The House met at 11 a.m. MINISTKKIAL STATEMENT. Major Atkinson said that after the vote of the House l&Bt night, he should aßk for an adjournment till half past two o'olook, when h9 would be prepared to make a statement, Questions on the Order Paper were therefore postponed until to-morrow. The Rouse rose at 11 5 a.m. lhe House resumed at 2.30 p.m. NEW BILLS. The Premier introduced the Naval and Military Settlers and Yolunteera Land Bill, and the Crown and Native Lands Bating Aots Repeal Bill. ORDBR OP BDSINISS. Sir Julius Vcgal presumed that the Premier would m.-ln a statement as to the course of business for the rest of the session, but before doing bo he should like .to know what opportunity wonld be afforded him of moving the resolutions he h\d placed on the Order Paper. He said, referring to the reason why thsse resolutions were put on the paper, that if the member for Marsden had waited till he (Sir Julius Yogel) had finished his remarks he thought he would not have ! taken any objection to them. If, also, the honorable gentleman had not put a question m Buch an offensive way relating to to himself, the matter would probably have takea a different turn. He must say that he admired the chivalry of the mombor for Marsden m takiug all the transaction on himself, although It was evident he must have been put up to it by somebody else. He also wised to say that, daring yesterday's debate, he heard language U3ed of a far stronger character than he had made use of when stopped by the Speaker. Ha went on to refer to the fact that a newspaper partly owned by a member of the Government, had made an attack upon Parliament which went far beyond anything be had said, Was it fair that this should remain unchallenged? He thought m fairness that the resolution paaaed by the House m reference to his (Sir Julius VogePe) action should be cancelled, but he should like to ask whether Government would give any facilities fur moving his resolutions. He should not press for an answer that day, but would ask whether he would receive a reply later on. Toe Premier said he should give no facilities whatever. Sir Julius Yogel said that m that case he would throw on the Premier the responsibility for any aotion whioh he I might be compelled to take m the matter. THE REPRESENTATION BILL. The Premier said it would be within the recollection of the House that the Government thought It necessary to report progress on the .Representation Bill the previous night. Government had since come to the conclusion to ask the House to go into Committee on the Bill, and to pass it through. They would then ask i the House to recommit the Bill for the purpose of altering clause 2. Sir Jalius Yogel asked whether the Premier would not make any atatement as to the progress of business. The Premier said he intended to have done so, but it would depend on the aotion of the honorable gentleman himself on the Bill under consideration

The Houee weut into Committee for the farther consideration of the Representation Bill. Clause 2, providing for 70 members, iDcluding 3 Maori members. — The Premier said he proposed to make the total Dumber of momberß 74, namely. 70 Europeans and 4 Maori members. If the Honae would cgreo to that he should be prepared to move it at or.co. Mr Beeves (St Albanß) aeked whether his amendment to make the number 84 could not be put first. A lengthy discussion followed, during whioh the Premier complained that Sir Julius Yogel had been for the last two days delaying the progress of the Bill. Sir Julia 3 Yogel protested against the arrogance of the Premier, and said that if uuch accusations were made his aide of the Houae would offer real obstruction to the Bill. He denied that any obstruo- i tlon had hitherto been offered. The Premier said that the honorable gentleman should {come out In his true colours, and let the houae and the country see what be meant. Sir Julius Yogel then continued speaking on the clause, After further discussion, Mr Turnbnll hoped that the Premier aud leader of the Opposition would cease their arguments, and allovr the clause t) be put. He wanted the business to prooeed ao that the Public Works Statement could be made. Mr Seddon moved a farther amendment that the Bill should not come into force till after the oennus was taken. The Premier opposed tho amendment, as Government was not prepared to accept any amendments whioh would make the Bill different from the present law. The amendment was lost by 49 to 38. Mr Reevea' amendment to fix the number of members at 34 was then pat and lost by 54 to 20. The Premier moved to fix {the number at 74. The motion was oarrled by 49 to 29. The Premier moved to fix the number of Maori members at 4 Instead of 3. The motion was carried on the voices. Mr Walker moved an addition to clause 2, that town Bonstltuencies shall have a larger quota than country constituencies. Re explained that his amendment referred m\y to'the four large oltleß. The Premier hoped the Committee would redact the amendment, \aa it was not desirable to open np thia questions In the present BUI. He hoped the awead,* meat would be withdrawn,

After a long die oasßlon the amendment vraß withdrawn, Clause 3, Commlaaloner to give effect to the Representation Act and this Aot. — Mr Seddon moved that the quota of the country diatriols be 35 pec cent instead of 18 per cent, The Preimer opposed the amendment. The debate was Interrupted by the 5,30 p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7 30 p.m. The dißoassiou on the amendment that the quota for oonntry districts be 24 In* stead of 18 was continued. On a division the rmeudment nu lost by 48 to 14 Mr Seddon moved a proviso to clause 2 "that the Act Bhall have no effaot until electoral boundaries necessary thereunder shall have been defined by commissioners, and a description thereof laid on the table. of the House." The motion to report progress was lost. Mr Siddon moved that the ohalrmao leave thac^alr, and If that were lost wonld ask the gentlemen aotlng with to let the olausea go through, leaving responsibility with the majority. Lost on the voices. Mr Seddon's proviso was then loot a division by 47 to 19. ' ; Clause 2 as amended was passed. On clause 3, Mr Levestam moved an amendment that the colony be divided into 67 electoral districts* In r^ply to Mr Walker, Major Atklnßon said the Government only wished to affirm the principle of reduction, and stated the other matters pertaining thereto would be dealt with In a Bill to be brought down next session. The amendment was lost by 54 to 13. Dr Pitohett moved that six months from the passing of the Act Commlssioneri shall report the names of new distriota to the Governor who shall thereupon proolalm them. The amendment was lost by 48 to 25, Mr Seddon moved a provision to olausa 3, that the quota m mining distriota should be 25 per cent, Lost by 44 to 9. Mr Seddon moved another provision to the effect that the Act shall not apply to Westland, Nelson, Taranakl and Marlborough, and that these districts retain the Bame number of members as at presenfci Lost by 46 to 7. Olause 3, as printed, passed . Clause 4, providing for the Southern Maori district being added to the Western Maori district, was struck out. Dr Fitchett moved a new clause providing for the amalgamation of city electorates at Auckland, Wellington, Ohriatohurch and Dunedin. After some discussion, it was lost by 44 to 12. The Bill as amended was repotted. The Premier moved the re-commlttal of the Bill to re-consider clause 2. Mr Walker asked the Premier to postpone the debate to next day. He also asked if it was competent to take new business after 0.30 a.m. The Speaker ruled that simply referring the question back to the committee was not new business. Mr Downie Stewart argued no good reason had been shown why the vote of the previous evening should be reversed. He accused certain, hon gentlemen who had voted with him laet night of now threatening to vote against him or walk out of the House. Mr Menteath explained that when he gave his vote yesterday he was unaware' that Government had made the Bill • Ministerial measure. At half- past three the Bill was reported and Its third reading set down foe next day.