HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 17, 25 July 1889, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday,. July 23. ; Replying :to questions, Ministers said : they were responsible for the letter written on the 4th instant by the Governor of New Zealand to the Vice-Consul for;: France at Wellington, relating to the* Y.: escape of Gasphihi.— [Sir George Grey moved the adjournment of the- House, He expressed an opinion that it was » lugbly objectionable course for the Governor to correspond with a Vice-Consul.. — Some discussion ensued, and the motion was negatived on the voices,j An Imprest Supply Bill for £200,000) was passed through all its stages. The debate on the Representation Act Amendment Bill was continued. —Mr Humphrey opposed the Bill blithe ground that he considered it opposed to the cardinal principles of Democratic government.—Sir George Grey attacked the Government fbr their sudden change of front on this question. He maintained thai the Bill placed large voting powers in the hands of great landholders, and said it had been introduced, with the utmost wilEness by the Government; — Mr BrucV claimed that the present Bill was art attempt to place town "and country representation on .an equitable basis. Ho ,~ thought, however, undue advantage was- i given to large boroughs.— Mr Menteatb, considered the Bill was indefensible im principle. He failed to see Why suclr towns as Napier, Nelson^lnvercargill-andt Timaru- should get^such an advantage as proposed at the expense of four cities.—-. Mr Perceval strongly protested against the passing of the Bill, expressing the^ ; opinion that country members had ho shamejn them in asking for so great an advantage.— Ms Merchant could not sea? any particular advantages which country ■■■ members, would gain from the Bill, which was necessitated by the Bill passed reducing the numbers._Mr Ballance thought the Bill was the result of a blunder made) by the Government in proposing a reduction of members — a reduction which had; not been asked for by the country^. Under the present Bill, the electorates of country members would be greatly extended, andi they would gain largely in that respect^' There was really no antagonism between; town and country, and' the ery ''in" that respect was not warranted. He* v asked the House to be true to iheir. opinir ons and repeal the Act reducing- tbe nnnx-* ber of membersi-^Messrs. Fishery Goldie^ Withy, and Fitchett opposed the measuEet and Mr Barron moved an ; amendment - That the present Parliament having passed an Act reducing the numberof members subject to the existing quota it is inadvisable to disturb the •decision "arrived at without further reference to constituencies.— At a few minutes past 2 a 01, Mr Reward reported that the .chief of the* Hansard staff had, informed hun ihatih* reporters could not report the proceedings in full, and Mr Fish appealed to the* Premier under 'such circumstances to ad .journ the debate —The Premier declined on the ground that there -had been stoned walling.— After some discussion Mr Macarthur moved that strangers , be ordered; to withdraw from the Galleries,, and this, was carried by 34 to 19. At 3.20 Mr Barron's amendment was negatived by 38: to 12. The Premier then moved that the bill be committed on next sitting day, and this was carried by 32 to 12, and the House rose at 4 a.m. till 7.30. Thero were 18 pairs oh the division The /Speaker refuses to allow the division list to be given out as the public were excluded.