GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 998, 6 September 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph,] [pee peess agency.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT VIS. Wednesday, September 5. The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Fox, Mr Bowen said information was being procured with a view to ulterior proceedings against Dalrymple, a certificated accountant in bankruptcy, at Masterton, defendant in the case of Hooker v Dalrymple, Forbes and Co. Replying to Mr Reynolds, Major Atkinson said the Government were anxious and intended to have printing required for provincial districts executed locally if it could be done as cheaply as in the Government printing office. Replying to Mr Wakefield, Major Atkinson said the Government did not intend introducing a Dog Registration Bill this session. One was prepared, but it was evident that it could not get through this session. NEW BILLS. The following new Bills were introduced : A Bill to Provide for the Creation of New Zealand Consolidated Stock, and Making Arrangements with the Bank of England in relation thereto (Atkinson), Public Revenues Bill (Atkinson). HOKITIKA AND GEEYMOUTH RAILWAY. Mr Baeff moved the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the advisability of constructing a railway to connect Hokitika and Greymouth and the proposed harbor works at Hokitika. In doing so he dwelt on the importance of doing something to open up the port of Hokitika. The motion was agreed to without debate. MATTER OF PRIVILEGE. _ Mr Rees, as a matter of privilege, drew attention to the evidence taken before the Public Petitions Committee in McMauus’s case, in which cei’tain of professional misconduct were made against himself. This evidence was republishedin the “New Zealand Times,” and he asked that the Public Petitions Committee should express some opinion on the matter, as his evidence had also been taken. Mr Kelly, as chairman of the committee, said they had been quite satisfied with the explanations given by Mr Rees, although no formal resolution on the subject had been passed. Mr Dignan, as a member of the committee, confirmed this. Mr Rees explained himself satisfied. THE FRANCHISE. Mr Woodcock moved “That in the opinion of the House the present state of the franchise and the electoral law of the colony are exceedingly unsatisfactory, aud that the Attorney-General be requested to redeem his promise to the House by bringing in a Bill dealing with the whole question with as little delay as practicable, so as to secure its passing

both Houses of Parliament during the present session.”

Mr Whitaker quite agreed that nothing could be worse than the state of the electoral laws at present. There were thirty-five Acts relating thereto on the Statute-book. He had, in redeeming his promise, drafted a Bill to deal with the whole question, reducing the thirty-five Acts to about 170 clauses, but the matter was so large that it could not be considered this session. The new Bill would deal first with the redistribution of representation, second with the registration of electors, making a complete change of system, and a much simpler method of electing members. An entirely new system never before tried would be proposed. Native representation would be fully dealt with —representation in proportion to that of Europeans being given to them; and also the trial of election petitions, which would be assimilated to the English system. No time would really be lost by postponing the matter till next session, when the Bill would be laid on the table on the first day, and the whole subject could be fully and fairly considered. Sir Q-eorgb Q-rey said a measure introduced by him last session to deal with the subject had been got rid of by the Q-overnment giving a promise to deal with the subject this year. Now the matter was put off to next year. He would therefore press his measure this year. He objected to the proposal to separate the Native representation, and give them representation in proportion toEuropeans, Instead of being kept distinct, and flooding the House with Native members, the two races should be combined as much as possible. He denounced the proposal as a party measure. Mr Reynolds expressed satisfaction with Mr Whitaker’s statement. He hoped the Bill would be circulated during the recess. Dr. Hodgkinson thought an early dissolution desirable, and urged immediate dealing with the question. Mr Woodcock asked leave to withdraw his motion. Dr. Hodgkinson objected. The motion was put and negatived on the voices. miscellaneous. The Government agreed to Mr Taiaroa’s motion for £SOO to complete the road from the Maori Kaik to Taiaroa Head lighthouse. Mr Sheehan’s motion fora Select Committee to inquire into Poverty Bay land purchases, and the circumstances attending the dismissal of J. A. Wilson, Land Purchase Commissioner, was agreed to. Sir R. Douglas’s motion that debate on Native Land Bill be printed in Maori, and circulated, was agreed to. Mr Thomson’s motion for remitting fines on Crown grants was opposed by the Government. Mr Reid said the fines due amounted to £IO,IOO. After a long discussion in committee, and several amendments being moved and rejected, the motion was negatived. Mr Fox moved for copies of the instructions to the police for suppressing gambling, sweeps and raffles ; also a return of convictions and prosecutions for illegal games in public places or houses ; also the instructions to the police to suppress the sale of spirituous liquors to Natives, and the prosecutions and convictions for doing so. He maintained that it was the duty of the Government to instruct the police to enforce the law in these respect. Mr Carrington and Mr JRowe supported this, Mr Bowen said the Government had issued instructions, and would take every possible steps to enforce the law.