HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3169, 25 August 1881, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday. EEPKE3ENTATION BILIj. After we went fco press tho consideration in committee of this bill was continued. Mr Gisborne moved, as a further amendment, the addition of the following as a proviso : —" Provided that 45 members shall be given to the North Island and 46 to the South Island." Sir George Grey moved that progress bo reported. He said he did so in no hostile spirit, but simply with the view of approaching the question with a calm mind. On the suggestion of the Premier the motion for reporting progress was withdrawn. Mr Hall opposed Mr Gisborne's proviso, contending that the alteration proposed would make strike at the root of the representation principle just affirmed. Captain Paissell supported the proviso, contending that the preponderance proposed by the clause as it stood would be most unfair to the North. So long as the legislature comprised its characteristic of a Board of "Works ifc was more than ever necessary to adjust the balance of power on an equitable basis. Mr Sutton took an opposite view, contending that the alteration proposed would have the effect of killing the bill. Mr Brandon thought the bill very wrong in principle and would vote against it. The question was put that the words proposed by Mr Gisborne be added to the clause.—Ayes, 19 ; noes, 45. Mr Levcstam moved the addition to the clause of the following proviso:—"Provided that no borough in which is the seat of Government for tho colony shall have any representation." The question was put that the addition bo made to the clause. —Ayes, 14; noes, 40. Clause 2 wa3 then put and passed. Sir George Grey moved that progress be reported. Mr Hall said tho G-overnment would only consent to the adjournment on the understanding that the stonewalling process had come to an end. They would decline to adjourn if it was simply to enable members to recruit for renewing the operation. Sir George Grey said he believed there was some provocation for the stonewalling. However, he desired to raise no party question. Ho could give no promise, but so far he was concerned no unnecessary obstruction would he thrown in the way. Mr Bastings said he had still an amendment to move, and having done so ho would leave the matter in the hands of tho House. Mr Pitt said he had felt bound to take the course he had done in deference to a strong expression of opinion from his constituency, but in the face of tho large majority against him he felt constrained to give way, and say it was best to offer no further obstruction. If the adjournment was agreed to tho Opposition members would have an opportunity for consulting, and he had a hope that an amicable understanding would be come to. Mr Seddon declined to give any such pledge, announcing his determination to discuss every clause, and to act in the matter as he thought right. He chai-ged the Premier with having a tyranical majority at his back and using it. Mr Gibba also announced his determination to deal by the bill as he might see fit. He would oppose every clause. Mr Tawhai said that a meeting of Auckland members had been held at which it was resolved to oppose the bill as unfair to the 1 North Island. He was astonished to find these very men going into the lobbies and

voting for the bill. He denounced the deception thus practised. Mr Hursthouse appealed to the Government to consent to progress being reported. Mr Lundon said that all the Government were asked to concede was an hour's postponement. Sir George Grey was sorry the Government had refused a reasonable request, and he would accept with pleasure the challenge the Government had given, and would be prepared to fight out the cause into which they had been forced by the uncompromising conduct of Ministers. Captain Russell said that the Government having shown their strength should now show their magnanimity. Colonel Trimble thought if the motion for reporting progress was withdrawn it would be a graceful act on the .part of the Government to accede to an adjournment till 7.30, ac the House was evidently in a state of irritation. Mr Hall said ho would bo prepared to follow the course suggested. The motion for reporting progress was negatived by 43 to 11. The Chairman then left the chair until 8 o'clock. The House resumed at 8 p.m. QUESTIONS 01? ORDER. Mr Finn drew attention to the standing order providing that unless otherwise ordered the House shall sit each day at 2.30, and he quoted from May's Parliamentary Practice, to show thefc a debate in committee could not be allowed to take precedence of the sitting of the House, as had been done that clay. Mr Seymour thought it might have been more proper to hare reported progress so as to allow the sitting of the House as directed at 2.30. Ihe Speaker had elected, however, not to take the chair, as the committee was sitting. Mr Seddon rose to another point of order He complained that the Chair-nan had that day at 5 o'clork left the chair until 8, which was contrary to rule. Mr Seymour said ifc was customary for the Chairman to leave the chair a little before 5.30 when convenient to the House, and he did so in accordance with that rule. Mr Seddon was about to remonstrate further when the chairman pointed out that the point could not be further contested, and Mr Seddon intimated he would table a motion on the subject. REPRESENTATION BILL. The Representation Bill was further considered in committee. On clause 3 being read, Mr Oliver objected to large city constituencies being cut up into single electorates, and to allow of Dunedin and Wellington remaining undivided, moved that the number of constituencies, 91, be struck out, with the view of inserting 86. Mr Bastings, as a prior amendment, moved that the clause be altered to nine electoral districts, each provincial district to be one, and each doctor to have a 9 many votes as members to be returned by the district. Mr Seddon moved a farther amendment, that the districts remain as at present. Sir George Grey moved a further amendment, that the number of memoers for any one district shall bear to the total number of members of the House the same proportion as the total population of the colony. After discussion Mr Bastings withdrew his amendment. Mr Seddon's was rejected by 50 to 13. Mr Oliver's amendment to strike out the words 91, was rejected by 40 to 17. Sir George Grey's amendment was rejected by 38 to 11. The clause then passed, as did clauses 4, 5, 6, and 7. Mr Moss, on behalf of Mr Sheehan, moved a new clause to restore the leasehold franchise of £10 for leases having three years to run, or in possession for three years. The clause was read a second time. Mr Lundon moved to substitute the words six months for three years, but the amendment was lost by 38 to 15. A further amendment by Mr Jones, that no person shall exercise more than one vote for any property was lost on the voices. Another amendment by Mr Lundon, to substitute one year for three years possession of a leasehold, was carried, and the new clause as amended was then added to the bill on a division of 33 to 11. At 2.30 pi'ogress was reported, and the bill was ordered to [he further considered in committee on Friday. The House rose at 2.30. Thursday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NEW BILL. Mr Hall gave notice for leave to introduce the Otago Dock Trust Bill. PUBLIC WOEKS PORTFOLIO. In reply to Mr Bastings, Mr Hall said the appointment of a colleague as Minister of Public Works was under the serious consideration of Ministers.