GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 532, 19 August 1881, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

On Monday, in the House of Representatives, the debate on the Representation Bill was continued. It was of tho most monotonous and dreary description. Various members spoke, defending their districts and protesting against their representation being reduced ; but as Mr Wodo remarked, while objecting to the population basis, they did not suggest an alternative one. Dr Wallia was paradoxical as usual, and expressed a qualified approval of the Bill and-an unqualified disapproval of tho amendments." The sole arguments adduced on questions of principle were two. Mr George and other Northern members urged that for purposes of computation tho Maori population of the North Island should bo included in the number upon which representation is based. The other was introduced by Mr Pyke, who urged that tho numbers on the electoral roll should be taken as a basis, and not population at large. In this ma,nner the gold fields would obtain increased representation, they having a larger proportion of adult males than other districts.

On Tuesday in the Legislative Council tho Licensing Bill was recommitted and several further amendments made, but none of importance. The Hon. H. J. Miller again moved tho rejection of the elective system, but it was reaffirmed by 1G to 13. In the House of Representatives the report of the public accounts committee was brought upon the pensions of Dr. Pollen, Messrs Gisborne, Domett, and Sir W. Fitzherbert. The Committee are of opinion that it would be inadvisable to repudiate liabilities incurrodjj on the Governor's warrant, and recommended that a Special Act be provided in order to remove all doubts as to the illegality of the pensions. The Hon. J. Hall said this was the first Government had heard of the contents of the report, and they could not bo expected at once to say what they would do. Ho had, however, hoard enougli to Bay that in all probability they would decide upon taking some action to bring a Bill in, and then the whole question would bo brought forward for consideration by the House. On that understanding the proposal for the consideration of tho report on Thursday was withdrawn. Several questions having been asked and answered, the debate on the Representation Bill was resumed, and occupied the remainder of the sitting. In reply the Hon. J. Hall said that while objections had been stated to the population basis, no one had ventured to say what should have been accepted as their guiding star. He denied that the increase of population in certain districts was due to the unfair expenditure of public money. The secret of their increased population was their adaptability for settlement. It was objected that cc r tain provincial districts had got a largo increase of representation. This was not given to them as provincial districts, but as integral parts of the colony. He denied that an undue preference had been given to party. When the question was one of duty to the puty arid to tho country, duty to the latter prevailed. So far as an expression had been given the Bill was •icceptiible to the country, and that was a fair criterion of its intrinsic merits.

The House divided on the question of the second reading—Ayes, 49 ; Noes, 16. There were also nine pairs, these numbeis, with ihe Speaker, accounting for 84 out of the total number of members, viz., 88. Tho Bill was ordered to be committed on Wednesday. On Wednesday, in the Council, the Law Practitioners Bill was thrown out by 20 to 6. In the House of Reprosetatives, On the motion for going into committhe on tho Representation Bill, Mr Wood moved as an amendment— (1.) "That in the opinion of this House, the basis of representation should be as nearly as may be practicable, population. (2.) That tho estimates of population for the purpose of representation should consist of Europeans and Maoris combined, and that the Maoris Representation Act, 1867, with the continuing Act should be repealed." A long and wearisome debate ensued, chiefly a repetition of that which had taken place on the second reading. The motion for going into committee was finally carried by 40 to 19. Alio House went into committee and almost immediately adjourned.