GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 536, 2 September 1881, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the House of Representatives on Monday,

The Speaker said he had carefully considered the nature of the motion for cloture given by tho Premier. It came under the operation of clause 391 of the Standing Orders, which provided that such motion must be dealt with by a House of twothirds of the whole, and would have to remain on the Order Paper as a notice for four clear days. Under the circumstances, tho motion could only be received subject to those conditions. The. Hon J. Hall said that he would net on the suggestion now made. In the meanwhile he apprehended that the motion would have to come under the cognizance of tbe Standing Orders Committee-

Sir George Grey assumed that an important step like this was taken with the advice of the law officers of the Crown. Such being the case, he thought that a copy of that advice should be given to the House. The Hon J. Hall replird that Sir G. Grey had no right to assume anything of the kind, nor had he anything to do with what advice Government might take from the law officers. Mr Pitt then moved his motion for adjournment. He intimated his intention of speaking for some conc-iderablo time, and by way of saving expense ho desired that what ho said should not be reportedThe Hon J. Hall opposed the request not to have the speech reported. He thought the country should know what was being done, ami to what effect their time was being wasted. The Obstructionists continued speaking till 12.35, and succeeded in preventing any business being gone on with. On Tuesday, in the Huuse of Representatives, The Hon Major Atkinson laid on the table the English actuaries' report on the Life Assurance Department, together with the Commissioner's report, and said that he would give notice of a motion to-mor-row embodying the scheme for tho division of profits proposed by the Government. A long report, the decision of certain Justices of the Peace on a shooting case at Mongonui, was tabled and read.

A lengthy discussion ensued on Mr Lundon's motion for having the papers printed.

Mr Sheehan supported the motion, adding that it was plain enough that the petitioner had fallen in the hands of bush justices, and had his case handled roughly. Sir W. Fox said tint a wider question was opened up than that appearing on the face of the papers. It showed that there were two classes of J.P's in this Colony, one class efficient for the discharge of tbe duties, and the other utterly inefficient. In that case he thought it would be wise to have two separate classes of J.P.s provided for, one an honorary class and the other an effective or working class. The motion for printing was put and carried.

The stonewalling process was resumed, on this occasion by Mr Reeves, the only noticeablo feature in tbe dreary debate being that Sir George Grey spoke at length and seemed to have persuaded himself that, in resisting a Bill for granting representation according to population, he was benefiting the masses and ' posterity." He contended that those opposing the Bill were making a noble stand against .the predisposing cause to the wrong he had alluded to, and posterity would bless them for their endeavors. Let the squatter and the large landowner say what they liked, the masses would bless them and sing of their praises. If the power was handed over to a few families, as was proposed in the Middle Island, then God help the population as a whole. If this plan was persisted in, woe betide the people of the North Island.

The Hoy, J. Hall protested against the arrogance of tho previous speaker. He was no more than any other member, and nothing more was due to him. He asked who was proposing to disirihute political power on a population b-isis buttheGovcrnment, and who was resisting it but Sir G. Grey ? He was very glad that Sir G. Grey had thrown of the mask The Colony would now see who was resisting tbe proposals for a fair distribution of representation. The real question before them was whether when a serious difficulty occurred the opinion of the minority was to prevail over that of the majority. The question was, were they to give way to headstrong, unscrupulous men in that House ? Th t was the question which they had lo decide. The forms of the House were being used for purposes for which they were never intended. Was this to bo submitted to ? He ventured to say there could be. hut one answer. Government would-be untrue to their trust if they abandoned their position ; they would be sapping the very roots of their constitution. Ihey had now a form of obstruction to which the House had hither-to been a stranger. By moving the adjournment all business was brought to a standstill. Government would now assent to no compromise. They would go on with no other business until this Bill was carried. Ho fully appreciated the support the Nelson members had given the Government, and had an}' concession been possible consistent with duty it would have been given them. He had no doubt that the House would concede all tbat was fair to the minority ; at the same time tho House would not allow itself to „>e set at defiance, but would assert its powers and determination that the majority should rule. The House rose at 12 35. Ou Wednesday on the House assembling at 2.30.

The Speaker, before proceeding, announced that in accordance with Standing Orders oi and 71, he would, at 7.30 p.m., proceed with the Orders of the Day, whether or not tho question then before the House was disposed of. He would strictly enforce that rule in future ; and it was through an error on his part that it had been overlooked heretofore. Mr Collins immediately moved the adjournment of the House, and the usual wearisome flood of talk was lot loose and continued till the 5.30 adjournment. On the House resmwingat 7.30 p.m., Trie Speaker ordered the Orders of the Day to be called on. Mr Reeves rose and said : 1 have a case of privilege. The Clerk, taking no notice, 'read the Ordorof the Day to go into Committee on thellepresentalion Bill, and tho Sp-.-aker left the chair without noticing M.i Reeves. The House thus at last got into Committee on tho Representation Bill. Mr Seddon moved the following, as a i new clause : —" From and after ibo passrig of this Act the freehold franchise shall be abolished, and hereafter only persons possessing the residential qualification shall be entitled to vote for the election of members of the House of Representatives, or to become candidates for seats ii* the said llouso."

Mr Reeves moved that the Chairman leave the chair. After a long discussion the motion was negatived by 42 to 21. Mr Seddon's new clause was then discussed. Sir G. Grey moved that the Chairm-m report progress. As regarded tne lib! h« was quite prepared to accept a distribution of represcnt-ilion strictly based on population, if each elector was restricted to one vote oniy. If the Bill was-, ri-model-led in these rot:pcok* he would t-uppori it

n nd give his assistaHce to passing it that very nifrht The Hon. J. Hall said he would consider any reasonable amendment which would lead to such a result. SirG. Grey accepted the Premier's offer to meet him in the direction indicated. Mr Sheehan suggested that the House should vote ahandsome sum to have painted a grand historical picture of tho meeting of the hon. member for the Thames and the hon. the Premier. At one o'clock the Committee divided cNi tho question that the Chairman leave the chair. Ayes, 4 ; Noes, 25* Having got into committee, tho House is likely to stay thore, at any rate for the remainder of the week.

The Press correspondent hoars that the etonewallers have organised themselves in watches of three each, and intend to continue their obstruction as obstinately as ever. They say they can keep it up for two months, but nobody believes that they will carry it out, for tho Government side is being equally well organised, and will keep the committee sitting if necessary until midnight on Saturday. It is reported that the stonewallers now will follow the example of the Irish obstructionists, and table amendments by the score if not hundreds, and will fight every word and schedule. It has yet to be proved whether they possess the necessary constancy and power of endurance to fulfil this threat.