GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 46, 23 July 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[Pku Anglo-Auethalian Press Tele graph Agency. |

lii tlio House of Representatives.

Mr W. Kelly placed in the bands of the clerk ini article reflecting upon his character as a member, printed iu the New Plymouth •'Advertiser." lie explained the circumstances which called, forth the charges, and asserted that they weredevoid of truth. He made the motion, so as to give any member of the House having any doubt upon the matter an opportunity to make further enquiry. Mr -VOGHj thought if the House took up all statements appearing in newspapers they would be undertaking a task out of all proportion to the results likely to flow from it. He would not recommend the House to make a practice of interfering in matters of the kind. If hon members felt their reputation injured the best remedy was to invoke the assistance of the civil law.

The matter dropped. Mr MERVYN asked the intention of the Government in reference to deepening the sludge channel at Naseby in accordance with the recommendation of the provincial authorities of 01 ago. Mr Richardson said the Government was not in a position to comply with the recommendation.

Mr I'yick asked the Minister of Public Works whether his attention had been directed to the prohibition by the Southland Waste Lands Board of the exportation be-

yonrl llic boundaries of Southland of railway sleepers and other limber? If Government approved of flic prohibition 1 If not, whether they will take action to relieve the timber trade of Southland from the vexatious restrictions imposed by the board?

Mr Kichardson said the Government did not approve of the course pursued by the Southland Government, and were then giving the matter their serious consideration. The only way to deal with land was by a short enactment, and he saw no reason why the Southland Government should object.

Mr Sheeiian moved that it is desirable that the readjustment of the representation of this House should be made to take effect at the next general elections ; that the Government should take into its consideration the question during the recess, with a view to the preparation of, a properly matured measure to be submitted to the House next session. He did not think it desirable to increase the number of representatives of the House, but thought the representation of the colony required readjustment. It had been said that the effect would be to increase the representative power of Auckland at the expense of the other provinces of the colony, but if her population and contribution to the consolidated revenue, entitled her to more representation, she ought to have it. He did not put the question from a narrow point of view. He held that the inequalities of the representation in the several provinces was self-evident. Estimating the representative power of the different provinces how they liked, they must see that Taranaki should be reduced one or two members, and Wellington one. There was no doubt these provinces were over-represented as compared with Auckland or the constituencies of the west coast of the Middle Island. [The hon member quoted from the speech of Mr O'Conor on the same question during the previous session.] While he held that the Government was right in refusing the demand for readjustment when they did, as it was at the request of a single constituency ; but now the circumstances of the colony were greatly changed,, and its population immensely increased. It was obviously the duty of the Government on the eve of a new Parliament to prepare a measure for redistribution before next session, so that the next Parliament might have the benefit of the change, as the present system was a delusion and a sham.

Mr Yokel said that while the hon member had taken great pains in getting up statistics, he forgot that the decision upon the matter was based upon the number of members which the House considered each province was to have as compaied withtheothers. Tt was quite notorious that Taranaki and Wellington as compared with Hawke's Bay, had more members than seemed justified by area or population, but still the House in 1870 had deemed it wise to adjust it so, and it was singular to notice the amount of unanimity then displayed. The arguments used by the hou member were all old, and the sole object of his remarks appeared to secure a larger representation for the province of Auckland. But if this were granted in the case of Auckland they would have other provinces which had advanced since 1870, a great deal more than Auckland, asking for more representation, and if that were carried out according to the views of the hon member the probability was that Auckland would be asked to give up some of her members to adjust the amount of representation. Generally, he could not think that any thing was to be gained from the motion of the hon gentleman. It was not likely that the House would grant an increase of representation to Auckland now when it was refused to her before, when she was in almost as advanced a state. As for the anomalies of representation they would always be fouud, for no hard and fast line could ever be followed in the adjustment of such a question. For instance, Welling ton and Dunedin were represented by two members each, while Auckland had three, and vet everyone knew that, Dunedin was the most important city. Looking at the question from the point of view that the new arrivals in the colony required representation, he did not consider it wise to introduce immigrants for the purpose of allowing them to govern them. He thought the present number of members i-' the House was quite sufficient. The only way they could arrange such a question was to give and take a member here and there. He could assure the hon. member that it would be impossible to get members to consider the question from an entirely new basis. They would always take into calculation the last decision upon the matter. Government, however, did not wish to evade the question in any way. They were quite willing to consider it during the recess. He would move the previous question. Mr Macandrew seconded the motion, because knew that if the principle of the motion were acted upon, it would be found that Otago was only half represented. Mr READER Wood combated the arguments of the Premier, who, he said, admitted that the representation was adjusted upon no principle whatever, being merely jumped at. For his own part, he could recognise no other basis than that of population, and he would like to see the motion amended in 'hat respect. Mr O'Neill said last year he presented a petition with 2000 signatures for an additional representative, and the other day presented another, making similar application. There could be no doubt the Thames, at least, was badly treated in the way of representation, having only one member for a population of between 12,000 and 15,000. lie was sorry the hon member had not moved that the Government be requested to bring in a measure of adjustment this session.

Mr SwANSON thought the Government appeared to think things well enough as they were, and were disinclined to interfere ; but it: boa members took his view of the matter they would make the question a crucial one, and one Unit Government dare not refuse to face. If the constituencies returned members pledged to turn out any Government which burked the question, they would soon s"e an end of such anomalies as Tarnnaki and the Thames.

Mr O'Connor supported the motion. Mr THOMSON said the member for Rodney had made a good case out. It was lamentable to see the case of the Thames, session after session, staring them in the face. There was no doubt that the Thames representatives had the sympathy of the House, and for his own part he thought that the lion member should be allowed to vote twice. The Government ought to bring down a Bill this session for adjusting the whole question. Mr SHEKHAN pressed for a. division.

Mr W. Kelly supported the motion. Mr iUc'GEU.IVRAY thought the represent a lion ot the provinces demanded great a'tera tion, and instanced the district of Eiverton

Mr Murray and Mr Bruce supported the motion.

Mr Mervyn hoped the motion would be carried by such a majority as would show the Government they must not temporise with such an important question. Mr Tribe also support'd the motion. A division was then called for, the result being HO for the motion, and 315 for the previous question. Mr MACANDREW moved -'That it is expedient that the members of volunteer lire brigades should, at their own option be exempted from service as jurors, and that the Juries Act be amended accordingly. He said that firemen, in pursuance of their self-imposed occupation, were liable to be called out of bed at all hours of the night and day. He thought no body of men in the colony were so deserving of the immunity asked for, because they sacrificed their own ease and comfort for the protection of the life and property of their fellow-citizens. Mr Pearce seconded the motion, and desired to bear testimony to valuable services of the men, who, without fee or pay, performed a most important duty, and their only reason forasking the petition was, they found their duties as jurymen interfered with their duties as firemen. The Premier admitted that it was deserving attention, but it was not a question which could be dealt with in half an hour. It was necessary some provision should be made to prevent persons who, to avoid serving on juries, would become honorary members of a brigade. Government did not like to bring in any hasty measure, Mr T. L. Shepherd said the captain of the Dunedin brigade assured him they would prevent members joining the brigade merely for the purpose of avoiding jury service. He wished to see the question put to the vote.

Mr O'Connor said it would not work well in small communities.

Mr Wales thought a very short Bill would do. In small towns where plan would not work so well, he thought they should make it extend to a certain number only, and gazette them. Mr LUCKCE thought the present jury system should be dealt with on broader principles. Agoodlossonwasgivenby the action of Victoria in the matter, by lessening number of jurors. He thought Government would act wisely by amending the jury list altogether, and consider the question of juries of four and six, and abolish that which had come to be considered a solemn sham, viz., grand juries. Mr Cuthbertson could not seen any case to justify interference. Mr Hunter said the great boon asked for was very trifling. In the case of Dunedin, it was asked to relieve some thirty men out of a population of 18,000; and in Wellington of about fifty out of 10,000. As regards small communities, it was seldom that juries were wanted there.

Mr Andrew opposed the motion, on the ground that every man should become acquainted with the working of the jury system.

Mr O'Neill testified to the valuable services of the fire brigades; but thought the time was rapidly arriving when firemen would be well paid instead of giving their services gratuitously. Still he would support the motion.

Mr Bryce thought the debate should be adjourned until they learned the nature of the report of the Committee to which one of these petitions had been referred.

Mr Macandrew offered to have a Bill drafted immediately that would prevent any abuse of the privilege and put a stop to shams.

Motion agreed to. In the House of Representatives, at the evening sitting, Mr Murray moved for returns in detail, showing the prices, discounts, and commissions upon all material imported under the Public Works Immigrants' Act. Mr Richardson said it was impossible to give such a return, but he would give all the information possible on the matter. The motion was then withdrawn.

TAntOA asked for the report of Mr Mackay on his sub-division of Native Reserves in the Middle Island.

It was postponed till the arrival of the Native Minister.

The Premier, in reply to Mr J. C. Brown, said that the General Government alone wGre responsible for the disallowance of The Otago Gold Repayment Ordinance, but would produce any correspondence on the matter.

At the request of Mr Luckie, the Government promised to furnish all particulars regarding the leasing of a large block of la,nd to Mr Alfred Cox in Hawke's Bay. Mr T. L. Shepherd introduced a Gold Mining Bill, which, though shorter than one of last year, contains 194 clauses. It was read a second time without opposition, and referred to the goldfields committee.

The Wellington Special Settlements and Hospital Reserve Rills, Otago Waste Lands Act Amendment Bill, and the Oamaru Hospital Reserves Bill, were read a second time. The Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Bill was moved by Mr Steward, and for the third time in that Mouse, he said, he argued that the Bill led to no breach of social life, for at present people of this colony availed themselves of the state of the law in others, and came back here without any notice being taken. Clearly, then, people were not averse to the measure.

Mr McGiliavkAY opposed the Bill on scriptural grounds, and moved that the second reading take pla.ee that day six months.

Mr O'ROKKE strongly opposed the Bill, as repugnant to the law of England and utterly abhorrent to the feelings and traditions of the people where he came from, as well as to the people generally of Great Britain. Mr McGLASHAK supported the Bill. Mr W. Johnston opposed it, on the ground that the Bill would subveri one of their dearest domestic relations. Mr J. Shepherd could not see that the Bill had any immoral tendency.

Mr Stewart reminded the House that the British Parliament had for several seasons passed a similar Bill, which, therefore, was evidently not repugnant to the law of England.

A division was called for, and the Bill ordered to be read a second time, by 20 to i). The Civil Service Acts Amendment Bill, and Justices of Peace Act Amendment Bill were read a third time.

The Offences against Persons Bill was read a .second time; also the Presbyterian Church of Otago Laud Bill.

The House adjourned at 10.45 p.m,