PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2168, 9 July 1889, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

(FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.!

Wellington. July 9 A meeting of country members wai held this morning, when it was resolved to adhere to tbe demand for the full 33£ per oent quota of representation over town districts. The following campaign was arranged : — When the House is moved into Committee of Supply the question of quota will be brought forward and the whole electoral laws be discussed at length. It was considered tbat tbe debate on tbe Representation Bill Is a waste of time at the present juncture. G >vernment will endeavor to get the debate resumed, but failing that will endeavor to induce the country members to agree to a concession of 25 per oent as proposed by the town members.

Subsequently a deputation of oinntry members constating of tbe Executive Committee, waited on tbe Premier acid Insisted on the withdrawal of the Representation Bill, and demanded that Government Introduce the alternative measure . The Premier offered to put up the Committee of Supply to allow the country members to move m the dlreotlon they desired, and also offered to propose In tbe alternative to the Eleotcral 8 11 that the cocntry quota be twenty-five per cent over the towns* The deputation deollned these terms, and Insisted on the withdrawal of tbe Representation Bill, and that tbe quota be 33J ocr cent, Tbe Premier tbon agreed to withdraw the Representation Bill and lo'rodnoe tbe alternative Bill m whioh the qaota to oouotry districts will be left blank.

The Printing Committee deolded not to recommend the printing of the oarrespondenoa relative to the retirement of Mr Fisher from the Ministry. The report will he brought np this afternoon,