The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 16. GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 217, 16 August 1878, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 16. GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

With the limited space at our command, it is, of course, impossible for us to give any detailed account of the proceedings in our Legislature. We shall endeavor, how- ! ever, from time to time to keep our readers au eourant with what transpires in Parliament. The present Session promises to be more fruitful in results than most of its predecessors. The two great questions to be debated are financial and electoral reform. We have already given the gist of the changes proposed in the former direction. A comparatively trifling imSost of three halfpence per gallon on beer as aroused a greater amount of noisy opposition than any of the more important changes. The reason is not far to seek. Any other impost can be recovered, with a handsome profit added, from the consumer, But in this case, as the consumer already pays from 250 to 500 per cent above cost price for the article, a difficulty is found in levying anything more out of him. It it is left therefore between the brewer and the publican. Hinc illce lachrymce. The brewers want to charge the publicans 2d per gallon, alleging that the latter sum is more easily computed. They rebel at this, and in the meantime an honorable member steps in and attempts to solve the difficulty. On Tuesday last Mr Shrin_6ki gave notica to move that the tax on beer be increased from three halfpence to threepence. The deceased wife's sister has again come to life. For several sessions Mr Steward, of Oamaru, brought this measure forward. He used to recount, much to the amusement of young and unsympathetic members, how he had made a vow over a certain tombstone to devote his life to effecting a reform in the law in this particular. His mantle appears to have fallen upon Dr Hodgkinson, who has given notice to introduce a similar measure this Session. On one occasion the debate was somewhat enlivened, and the prejudices of the House shocked by the utterances of a Native Hon. member on this subject. He strongly supported the measure, but did not think it went far enough. He did not see why a man should have to wait till his wife died before he married her sister I THE FINANCIAL PROPOSALS. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Major Atkinson asked when the Government would bring down their Bills giving effect to their financial proposals, as it would be advisable to have all necessary information before them, in order to discuss the Government policy. Mr Ballance said the Bills embodying the Governmoni proposals were in course of completion, and it was proposed to take their second reading on Tuesday next, when tbe Government would be prepared to invite debate on their whole policy. At any rate, they would make such arrangement, either before or after delivery of the Public Works Statement, as would best serve the convenience of the Opposition. In Committee of Supply, Major Atkinson asked for e-ome particulars regarding certain expenditure in excess of votes, especially in regard to Native expenditure. We think this a very fair question to ask, considering that the sum at the disposal of the Native Minister for these purposes is exceptionally liberal. The items for liabilities was then passed, the Government promising to furnish the information required. Under the head of " Legislative," some discussion ensued as to the item of £250 for the new office of Usher of the Black Rod for the Legislative Council. Many members were disposed to look upon this as the creation of a mere" sinecure. Ultimately the item was struck ont on a division by 40 to 23. ELECTORAL BILL. The Premier introduced this Bill on Tuesday evening. He spoke at great length, contending, in the rhetorical language which he is accustomed to make use of, that the Bill would be found to be " a great charter of the rights of the people." The most of the speakers during the first night's debate were what might be called Ministerial supporters, and they found fault with tho Bill as not going far enough, in that it did not give manhood suffrage pure and simple. Sir George Grey's reason for moderation appeared to be that he wished to introduce a Bill that would be sure to pass. Mr Gisborne made himself funny re the proposal to grant the suffrage to women. There appears little doubt that the main principle of the Bill will be affirmed, namely, that subject to some residential qualification, every male resident of the colony will be entitled to vote. There will be a fight over the question of whether a man owning property in more than one electoral district shall have a vote in each, or whether each man shall have but one vote. The Premier's speeches, while " stumping" the country, certainly appear to favor the former view, but it seems that the Bill proposes to perpetuate the old system.

LITERARY INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES BILL.

While the "tug of war" is proceeding over questions pre-emintly political, it is quite possible that measures calculated to have an important effect on society may be passed over without, notice. Of such a nature is the Bill which we have named above, and which has been introduced into the Upper House by the Hon. Col. Whitmore. The Bill consists of sixty-six clauses, and is divided into three parts. Part 1 provides that all such institutions may become corporate bodies. The incorporated institutions are to have the usual powers. Existing institutions may become incorporated. Every endowed institution must be registered under the Act, and no public grant is to be made to any unregistered institution.

Part 2 provides that Counties, Boroughs, and Districts may establish free public libraries, by taking a vote of tho ratepayers on the subject, and, subject to such vote, may levy a rate of Id in the £ for their support. All such libraries must be free. Part 3 deals with subsidies. The Colonial Treasurer is to pay to the governing body of any place having established a free Public Library a sum equal to the amount raised by way of rates. The balance of any moneys voted by the Assembly for the purpose shall be apportioned by the Minister for Education among the several institutions in the Colony, supported or partly supported by voluntary subscription, and may from time to time be paid by the Colonial Treasurer on the request of the aforesaid Minister to th« several Educational Boards, to be distributed amongst the aforesaid institutions in books, or as they shall recommend and the Minister for Education shall approve and sanction, subject to certain conditions. The main condition is that such institutions shall be registered under the Act, and when they keep a free reading room they may receive a grant in aid not exceeding one half the money collected by way of subscriptions,