HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3127, 6 July 1881, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

auesciay The House met at 2.30 p.m. SINGLE VOTES. Sir George Grey gave notice to introduce a bill to provide that no elector shall at any election vote in more than one electorate. NOTICE 01? MOTION. Sir George Grey gave notice to ask if the Government had printed all the papers, or if only a selection of those relating to Dr. Pollen's pension had been printed. Reply to Speight as to what course Government intended. QUESTIONS.

Replying to questions, in reference to the claim of the council of the Auckland Institute to have their museum placed on a i similar footing as regards endowment as the museums in other parts of the colony, Mr Rolle3ton said the Government wa9 disposed to favorably consider proposals in that direction —he had conferred with members as to the best form in which aid could be attained, and when that had been ascertained he would be able to reply definitely, but at present he was not; it was stated that the Government had received communications from the Kakanui Harbor Board relative to the probable trade of the port if improved, also requesting that a bill be passed authorising them to borrow £8000 to effect such improvements, but after mature consideration the Government could hold out no hope of such a bill being brought forward ; a bill was in course of preparation to enable the Government to assist companies to construct and extend main lines of railway by concessions of land and otherwise ; the Government understood that the road from Nelson to Reefton, via Hampden and Lyell, would be open in about a month—when it was opened the Government would see what arrangement could be made for an overland mail service by that route : a bill would be introduced for regulating and administering native reserves as referred to in the Governor's speech. CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS PREVENTION BILL. Mr Johnston moved the second reading of the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill. He stated that a clause wis in course of preparation, and would be moved in committee, prohibiting candidates from spending money on elections unless the same passed through the hands of a party specially appointed by the Government to supervise such expenditure. Amendments from the late Imperial Act on the subject would also be introduced,

Mr Wood contended that they should follow the English practice pure and simple, and prohibit all expenditure at elections. As the Bill stood it only aimed at expenditure incurred for corrupt purposes.

Mr G-eorge pointed out that the bill as it stood opened the door for a professed friend of a candidate to commit him in such a way, by incurring an expenditure, a 9 to vitiate his return.

Mr Seymour thought the penalty of perpertual disqualification too severe. Mr Saunders complained that the bill as it stood was vastly inferior to a similar measure brought down by the Grey Government, but "with the new clauses promised to be introduced in committee he was hopeful that a change for the better would be brought about. Sir William Fox advocated the introduction of a clause prohibiting the opening of public-houses during poll hours. Mr Shephard would approve of tho bill if it were assimilated to the English Act. He thought the paid employment of electors by candidates should be absolutely prohibited, and he advocated closing public-houses while elections were proceeding. REGULATION OF ELECTIONS Bill/. The House went into committee for the further consideration of the Regulation of Elections Bill. Clause 58. —Mr George moved at addition providing that in the event of a member of the House taking office in the Ministry he should" go to his constituents for re-election, provided that in the case of a new Ministry being formed re-elections should not be necessary.

Mr Wood moved that the proviso exempting a new Ministry from re-election be struck out.

Mr Johnston and Mr Hall opposed both proposals. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. REGULATION OF ELECTIONS BILL.

Clause 58.—Mr Reeves supported the amendment proposed by Mr G-eorge. Mr Collins opposed it, as not being demanded by the country. Mr Weston opposed the amendment, remarking that with triennial Parliaments it was unnecessary.

Dr. Wallis also opposed the amendment,

Mr Hall demurred to the doctrine that the constituencies had a right to say whether a man should take office or not. He strongly opposed Mr George's proposal. Mr Levestam also opposed it. He thought the constituencies were generally only too glad to have their representatives in the Ministry, and therefore relegating newlyappointed Ministers to their constituents for re-election was quite unnecessary. Mr Wood's motion to make Mr George's amendment apply to new Ministers, but not to new Ministries, was negatived on the voices. Mr George's amendment in its original form then went to a division, and was lost by 36 to 14.

The remaining clauses were passed as printed. A number of new clauses were added to the bill, which was reported as amended.

THE lINANCIAL STATEMENT

Mr Hall announced that the Treasurer hoped to make his financial statement tomorrow night.

SECOND BEADING. The Chatham Islands Local Government Bill was read a second time. The House adjourned at 9.25 p.m.