THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3942, 13 October 1875, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, October 13. The House met at 7.30. last evening. Upon going into Committe upon the Representation Bill, Mr O’Conor made an unsuccessful attempt to have the debate reported in ‘Hansard.’ Mr Murray moved the postponement of clause 2. Replying to Mr O’Conor, Mr Bowen announced that the Government would not oppose •ertain alterations in the boundaries, but could not accept resolutions regarding additional members, of which there were several. Sir T. 1). Bell attacked the Bill as being devoid of principle. He said Mataura had more right to another member than Napier or Waitaki. Mr Macandrew agreed with the last speaker, Mr Ormond wont into the question of the position, population, aed exports of Napier to show that it ought to hava another member. Mr I i’Conor warmly advocated another member tor the Bul’er. Messrs Raid and Mervyn snppc.ted the Bill, Taiaroa gave notice that he would move for a Native member for Waikato. Clause 2 was postponed, clauses 3 and 4 passed, and clause 5 occupied the House the rernairderof the .-ittiug. Mr O’Neill first moved that one extra member be given to the Thtm-s, to make three altogether. Mr Murray said it would be best to give an extra member to the Thames, and another to Punedin, dropping all the rest, and the House would pa.-s the Bill at once. Hereupon a very long discussion ensued. The following agreed with the Thames having an extra member■ Messrs Bryce, Thomson, Wiles, Sir G. Grev, W. Kelly, and Stafford Those objecting v/ere Messrs W ; te, . M Gulivray, »*jor*Woin«ry, dimiev, and Rov/tn. M Jackson «..!•» if r-iu-y w»nld not g.-aufc an extra member to the i harries they should join a portion of the Waikato to the Thames, and tbon grant the other member. Mr Andrew supported this, and Mr Buckland opposed it. Sir G. Grey then made an earnr-t s-m.-ch 5favor of ■■Jr O .Nh-Ji 's motion, and spoke .4 speaking all Hat sit’in.; and the next day an ' so on m committee urn LI the Gov- rumen assented to -o rea ll o, 1 .1 - - and just a reijuest. i\lr ■ iguan weired dm extra member to be given to (lr.irome.ndel i:-.stead <.f to the I hj mu-V Mr Montgomery said if d.ey gave way m one case they would have to increase the number of members to one bundled Mr I’onald MV can and Mr T.uekie pohJed out that v : • . iruj-.-i ■.•inle iu ywl to atop if they once gave way. fcSir C, Grey haras mad? another speech,

.Mr Bowen said the Government might tell him at once that they could not accede to his entreaties on behalf of the Thames, Mr Von der Heyffe favored giving the Thames and Dunedin a member each, that being the only increase. Mr Bunny wanted progress reported, to allow the Government to consider a proposal that they agreed with the views of so many. Mr White thought an opponent of the Government thought they were as fair as they could be in the i-ill. Mr May supported Mr O’Neill. Upon a division, Mr O’Neill’s amendment was lost by thirty-seven against tvrenty-pue. Mr Sheehan then moved that Coromandel should have one member, but the amendment was lost by thirty to twenty-three. Mr Kelly moved that Napier be omitted, and that the .>outhern and East Coast district bo substituted, and discussion upon this was kept up till nearly half-past two. The Ministry agreed with the amendment, Mr (Sheehan moved to report progress, Mr Mncanlirw said they ought to do so on grounds of humanity. '■ir F. D. Bell protested solemnly against forcing through at one. sitting so important a Biff. The Government not objecting, progress was reported, and it was decided that in consequence of the members’ ball the Home -dj um till 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday. The House adjourned at 2.40 a.m. EOMMIMinMMMHHBi