GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 539, 13 September 1881, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the Legislative Council on Thursday

The Hon F. Whitaker moved the second reading of the Representation Bill in a long speech, in whlvh he reviewed the whole question. The Hon H. Chamberlain opposed the Bill, and moved that it should be read a second time only after the meeting of the next Parliament. The Hon W. Ngatata spoke in advocacy of the Maori special representation being left untouched. The Hon G. M. Waterhouse considered the Bill objectionable in every respect. The debate was adjourned, On the following day the debate was resumed

The Hon G. Johnson said it was a great mistake to increase the number of members. Representation was so adjusted as to keep up local jealousies. He blamed the Government for not bringing in a self adjusting system similar to thatexisting in other colonies ard in America. The Hon Dr Grace f< (id the representation in both islands was now as nearly fair as it was possible to make it. He predicted that the results of the Bill would be most deplorablo and permanent. The Hon H Scotland spoke against BOinu portions 'if the Hill. The Hon W. 11. Reynolds supported the Bill. The Hon J. Williamson was not prepared to vote against the Bill, bec-iiise some change was required, and it being so late in the session there was no tinu? to bring in another measure. The Hon H. Lahman and the Hon G. Mantell spoke against the bill. The Hon F. Whitaker replied. The second reading was carried by 14 to 8. At the evening sitting the Akaroa High School Bill was read a second time. On Thursday, the House of Representatives met at 11 a.m. Sir G. Grey moved the second reading of the Protection of Debtors' Bill. It was intended to render property to the extent of £50 exempt from seizure for debt, rent, or any other cause, and to allow bankrupts to retain property to the same amount. The Hon J. Hall said it was too late in the session to properly consider so important a subject. He objected to the first clause, as it would prevent seizure of goods even for a penalty, unless the person had upwards of £50 worth. Sir W. Fox objected to the third clause Mr Weston the fourth, and Mr Shephard to the Bill altogether. Mr Andrews spoke in favor of the Bill, contending that the existing .isage was to bring the poor into a hopeless state of poverty. Mr Shriinski spoke on behalf o( the poor and unfortunate landlords. The Biil, as it stood, opened the door to dishonesty. Mr Swarison thought the Bill a farreaching one. Sj far as he could judge, the Bill was one that would prevent poor, enterprising people i'roin raising money sufficient to give than a start in life.

Mr S'eddon supported the Bi! 1

Mr Pitt spoke of tho distress for rent as a remnant of the dark ages, and as such he desired to see it swept away.

Sir Gr. Grey replied tint rich persons were embled to make settlements upon their wives and children and tint secured the effects from debt. This Bill proposed to make a similar settlement for the wives and families of the poor. The House divided—Ayes, 2 3 ; noes 35. Sir (t. G~ey moved th , ; second reading , of tlia Logal Advocates Bill. Mr YYeston opposed ihe motion. The Bench ought by rights to be supplied from the Bar, although he was s»rry to say that in New Zealand tint course hud not been followed in certain Courts. He hoped it would never be extended to Supreme Courts. In tint case it was ncceesary to protect the B-ir, both as regards legal and general knowledge. Sir W. Fox insisted that the Bill was simply a reproduction of a Bill which had been already rejected, it' anything, in a more objectionable- form Mo moved that it- be read that day six months. On ths question tint tha Bill bo road a second time, the House devided —Ayes, 19 ; Nofis, 18. In introducing a Bill to prevent the printing a,,d publication of scandalous newspapers, Mr Driver said that the Bill aimed at a class or newspapers culle i society papers that had lately sprung into esistancs. lie admitted tliat there was a high c!*uss of such publications which were useful, but the specimens that had hluly made their

appearance wore a perfect disgrace. The Bill would provide for summary proceedings on information l»y a common informer. The motion for introduction was agreed to, nnd the Bill read a first time. Mr Gibbs moved a resolution censuring the Chairman of Committees for liia now historical action in reference to the lato " stonewall." The Premier moved an amendment to the effect that tho action was taken in tho exercise of a proper discretionary power. The motion was " talked out" in a thin house, tho debate being interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. At the evening pitting In reply to Mr Pyko. The Hon. J. Hall said that tho Governor was about to leave New Zealand during the sitting of Parliament with tha consent of Ministers. That arrangements was made at a time when it was anticipated that Parliament would havo been prorogued by this time, and his Excellency had made arrangements accordingly. No inconvenience would arise in consequence. The Chief Justice would arrive on Monday, when he would be sworn in, and so enabled to exercise all tho power of Governor. The Council's amendments in the Pensions Bill were disagreed with. The Fencing Bill was further considered in committee, passed through, and was reported with amendments, which were agreed to. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. The Gisborne Harbor Board Bill was read a third time ; Mrßolleston protesting against it. On Friday, the approaching departure of the Governor elicited a debate, in the course of which Mr Pyke urged that it was highly inconvenient for the Governor to leave during the sitting of Parliament, which went to snow that the present arrangement of combining the Governorship and the High Commissionership in the one person was most inconvenient. To his mind n sug gested one of two things -either that they could dispense with the Chief Justice, who would thus be kept from his legititnato duties at least a quarter of the year, or cUe they could dispense with the Governor, if he could thus remain away three or four months in the year from his duties and the scene of the duties in New Zealand.

Mr Macnndrew said the real Governor sat on these benches, and it mattered very little whether the nominal Governor was here or in Fiji.

On the motion for going into Committee on the Kiilway Construction and Land Bill,

Mr Murray took exception to the Bill, expatiating at length on the danger of allowing these .vorks to be constructed by companies, and submitted- an elaborate scheme of his own, Mr Macandrew would not oppose the Bill, but at the same time he expressed an opinion that the railways should he undertaken by the Government and not left to the operation of private companies. Mr Oliver adopted an oppo'-iito ■ view, thinking that a good workable measure could be made of it. The motion for groing into committee wan then put nnd carried. In the eourae of the cle'mte Mr Seddon said that the member for Grey Valley had (scon appointed solicitor for the Amberley Greymouth line. Mr Weston denied th.* statement. Mr Seddon went on to say tlint iv that case the Canterbury Press was n. liar, as he had read it in the paper referred to. Mr Seddon was called to order by the Clminu in, and, on persisting, was peremptorily ordered to desist. A large number of amendments, as proposed by the Government, were made in the other clauses, and certain now clauses were added. On consideration of the schedules, Mr Jones moved to include a line from Koinori to Newcastle. —Lost by 17 to 12 - Mr Lundon moved to include a line from Pukekohe to Wai uku. —Ayes, 11 ; noea, 19. Mr Seddon, after some altercation with the Chairimn about having to online himself to speaking on the schedule, moved to in elude the Hokitika and Greymoutli line.— ■ Ayes, 10 ; noes, 22. Mr Pyke called attention to Mr Seddon having voted after he had paired with the Hon. W. Kolleeton. Tlie Chairman said he could not take notice of the fact, as pairs were only a matter of honour between members. Subsequently Mr Pyke cemplained that Mr Seddon had called him a l> liar." Tlie Ciiairinm declined to take notice of anything said privately. Mr Pyke then said it would have to be settled in the lobby, to which Mr Seddon replied he was " agreaaole." The schedules having passed, the . Bill was reported, when M; , Thomson moved that clause 15 be not agreed to. Mr Murray moved the adjournment of the debate till Monday, which was lost by 21 to 8. Mr Thomson's amendment was lost by 21 to 8 also On the motion that the Bill be read a third time, Mr Slirimski moved it be read that day six months. After some remarks from Mr Lundon, Mr Shrimski'a amendment was negatived and i.lie Bill was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 4.25 a.m.