GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 520, 8 July 1881, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the Council, on Tuoslay, tlis Chinese Immigrants Bill was passed through Committee without amendment, road a third time, and passed. Dr Pollen moved an amendment that the I'ill 3iiotild only become operative when the Chinese number 2 per cent, oil the European population, but the amendment was negatived by 1-i- to 7. The Gaming end Lotteries Bill was partly considered in Co.ntnittee, and.progreys reported. In the House o£ Representatives, Sic (}. Grey gave notice that he would move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide that no elector should vote in more limn one electorate. Mr Bunny brought up and read the report from the Waste Luiklh Committee:— On the petition of the lloduey, Southland and (Jook County Councils, prnying that an elective element m.-y be introduced into vho Waste Liindu Beard, so that each Cor.nty may elect, its ovr\ representatives

on the Board of such land district—that as they consider the subject matter of these petitions to be a question of public policy, they liavo no report totnako thereon. On the petitions of the Rodney and Southland County Councils, praying that these Counties may be placed on the same footing as municipalities as regards landed endowments—that as they consider the subject matter of ili3se petitions to l>e a question of public policy, they have no report to make thereon.

The Hon. W. Johnston moved the second reading of the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill. He explained its provisions, and pointed out the particular clauses in which it varied from other measures of the same nature introduced in previous sessions. A clause was in course of preparation based on the English Bill prohibiting any expenditure at all unless it passed through the hands anl was spent at the discretion of an officer specially appointed by Government for that purpose. Other clauses from the English Act would also be introduced. Dr Wallis criticised the bill at consider able length, expressing approval of all expenses being paid through the Returning officer. Mr Wood said that it was most important that candidates should know distinctly what thay could do and what they could not (To. This Bill prohibited corrupt treating for example ; but the difficulty was to say what was corrupt treating. The English Act was niore explicit on the point It prohibited all treating, either corrupt or otherwise. He thought it would be much better if that course was pursued by the Bill, as it would Le much fairer to all concerned.

Sir W. Fox spoke in favour of the closing of the public-houses during the taking of the poll. He alluded to the sobriety which he had witmessed in San Francisco during the recent election for the President, which, on expressing his surprise, he was informed was duo to the fact that the hotels were kept closed during the hours for election. The Hon W. Johnston replied stating that the Attorney-General had promised that tho new clauses would be of such a nature as to satisfy the most fastidious and pureminded members. The Bill was then a read a second time, and ordered to stand committed on Friday. The liegul-ition of Elections Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 58.—Mr George moved—"That a sub-section be inserted, providing that a member joining the Ministry during the currency of Parliament, should return for re-election by his constituency before taking his seat on the Government benches; this, however, not to apply to the formation of a new Ministry." The Hon W. Johnston said Government could not accept the addition. The subject had frequently been discussed in that House. Mr Wood would support the amendment if it were applied to new Ministries. The amendment did not go fur enough ; it. excepted " a new Ministry." and lie saw no reason for such an exception. While supporting the principle of the amendment, he would move—" That the exception be struck out." Mr George said h« would gladly accept the amendment l>lll for the fact that great inconvenience would be occasioned w-'.ru a new Ministry not to be accepted when the House was in session. Mr Montgomery preferred Mr George's amendment as it stood, but rather th tn lose it he would take it without the exception. After considerable discussion Mr Wood's amendment that tlie words excepting a new Ministry from the necessity for reelection, be struck out, was then put and negatived on the voices. The original amendment, moved by Mr George, was then put, and the Houso divided. Ayes 14 ; Noes 3d. Several new clauses were proposed and adopted to give effect to the resolution already come to by the House in favor of open nominations instead of written ones. Tho Bill was reported as amended. The Chatham Islands Local Government Bill was read a second time on the motion of the Hon J. Hall. The House adjourned at 9.25 p.m. On Wednesday afternoon the Hou.*e of Representatives was occupied with & discussion on what is known as '• Hare'a system " of conchictiing electiens. Dr Wallis moved that this system ought to be adopted in the promised Representation Bill. Mr Wakefield supported the motion in a speech of considerable length. Mr Hutchison ridiculed the idea of the system being adopted. Messrs Bowen and Oliver spoke in favor of the system and Mr Moks opposed it. The Hon J. Hall hailed with satisfaction the growing estimation in which this system was held. Mr Wood spuko against the motion, and tho debite was interrupted .by the 5.30 adjournment. In the evening the Colonial Treasurer made his financial statement. Major Atkinson said the Government did not find it necessnay to impose any fresh taxation. The}' proposed to amend the Property Assessment Act so as to bring foreign capital within the operation of tax. They proposer! to reduce the rate to a halfpenny after September next, and to abolish and reduce the duties on various imported articles. The nett result he summed up as follows: — if I bave-fiaid that the estimated expen members will understand that this now indituro to be m.rle within the year—and hon eludes outstanding liabililes—is£3.27o,s32, to which I add the deficit at the end of tho last year, £5,GG7, making a total of £3,276,198, and that the estimated revenue is £3,297,000. Deducting, then, the estimated expenditure from the estimated revenue, wo have a surplus of £21.452, a result which, if attained, will, I think, be extremely satisfactory, as showing the steady progress of tho colony and the wonderful elasticity of our own resources". After the delivery of the statement, Mr Bailance criticised it somewhat severely, ! and Mr Wakdiald criticised him still more severely. Mr Speight insisted upon decentralisation, and replied to Mr Wakofie'd. Mr launders landed the Government for their devotion to economy, and the Hon J. Hall moved Hie adjournment which took place at. 10.40.