PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 25, 10 August 1886, Page 2

P ARLI A ME NT ARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. | f FBB OXITBD PBBBB ASSOCIATION.] Wbllixgton, August 9. KBW BEPBESBHTATIOir BILL DBBATB. .... , The Premier moved the second reading of the Representation Bill. The main features of the bill were two— population basis and appointment of board. He dealt briefly with the olauses of the bill embracing these proposals. The Board was to contain five members, consisting of the Controller - General, SurveyorGeneral, and three nominated members. Another provision was the amalgamation of the oily electorate*. He pledged himself that if the bill passed there should be a session as early as possible next year. Major Atkinson said the population was pie only basis they could go upon. He himself was in favor of women as well I as men voting, but he recognised they were not advanced enough for that. Though a party to the present act, he was not satisfied with its working, and would be in favor of a ohange. He supported the second reading. Mr Peacock supported the bill, but would have preferred to see it brought down earlier. .

This Day. Mr Scobie McKenzie objected to the comparisons that had been made by Dr Newman between town and country members to the disadvantage of the latter. He did not believe entirely in a population basis, which was not in vogue in its entirety, anywhere in the world. . Mr Levestam did not think population should be the sole basis of representation though undoubtedly a most important factor. He would not object to a reduction of members if they were taken from theoities, none of which ought to have more than two representatives. He did not believe the bill would go beyond the second reading. . Captain Russell had strong objections to the bill, especially to population as the Bole basis, and amalgamation of the oity electorates. He believed in the good old democratic principles of taxation with representation. The towns were over represented as compared with the country, both in the House and Council, and amalgation would practically give the town electors four votes a piece. He did not see why the Maoris should not now have their special representatives abolised.

Mr T. Thompson said the cities were not unanimous in the deaire for amalgation. A petition had bean signed against it in Auckland. Mr Taylor supported the population 1 basis, but objected to amalgamation. Mr Guineas did net see what reason there was for redistribution,, and saw nothing but confusion if electoral districts were to be altered every census. He intended to vote against the bill, because there was an evident intention to cut down the present number of members, to which he strongly objected. Mr Seddon moved the adjournment of the debate— ayes 31, noes 32. * . •'• Messrs Kerr and Gore saw no necessity for forcing the bill through. Mr W. P. Buoklahd opposed the amalgamation, and thought lh) country should have larger representation' than the town? . Mr Hursthouse always had and would oppose the population basis. He disliked the bill being forced on at this period of the session. '

Mr Boss moved the adjournment of the debate, to which the Government agreed, and the House rose at 1,20 a.m.