HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 93, 16 October 1896, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per Frees Association.) Wellington, October 15. The House resumed at 2.30. The Supplementary Estimates were brought down by message from the Governor, and consideration postponed till 7.30. Mr Seddon moved tho recommittal of the Electoral Acts Amendment Bill for the purpose of striking out the new clause which had been carried allowing co-operative laborers to exercise electoral rights. The motion was strongly opposed by Captain Russell, Sir R. Stout, and others, on the ground that the clause had been carried in a fall Hoase, and it was not fair to take a catch vote of this kind. Mr Seddon said he objected to cooperative laborers receiving electoral rights, because it would interfere with tbe ballot. In any case, it was necessary to recommit the Bill iv order to put in a qualification for co-operative men. The motion for committal was carried by 31 to 23. Mr Seddou then moved the excision of the clause giving electoral rights to co-operative laborers. This was carried after considerable debate by 28 to 26, and the clause struck out. The Bill subsequently passed its final stages. In Committee on the Electrical Motive Power Bill, Mr Seddon moved a new clause empowering the Governor-in-Council to cause inquiries to be made as to the feasibility of using tbe water ways of the colony for the purpose of supplying the electrical motive power on goldfields. He said if this clause were agreed to it would mean that the House desired the State to retain possession of these rights. After a discussion the clause was carried by 37 to 12 and the Bill was then reported and passed its final stages. The Adulteration Prevention Act Amendment Bill was committed, but progress was almost immediately carried. On the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the Supplementary Estimates, Sir Robert Stout moved an amendment, that in the opinion of this House it is desirable that proper provision should be made for the carrying on of the Middle District of the New Zealand University College. Sir R. Stout's amendment was negatived by 35 to 20, and tbe House went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the Supplementary Estimates. Considerable discussion took place on the votes in connection with the Hansard department, but no alterations were made. This Day. The Supplementary Estimates were discussed at great length, but the various items were passed practically without alteration. The House rose at 4.40.