PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1410, 22 August 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Last Night's Proceedings.

Wellington, August 22.

THB BEPBKeiENTATION BILL,

After the ten o'clock adjournment, Mr Htjbsthouse continued the debate on the Representation Bill. He objected to it, because it fixed the basis of representation on the population, a pernicious principle, which would allow cities to swamp the country. He would accept the Government Bill, as a lecser of two evil*. Still is wanted much amending. Mr Whitakeb said, as the feeling of the House appeared to be against the adoption of the new plan, if the hon. member for Wallace would withdraw his amendment, he (Mr Whitaker) would withdraw his Bill. By this moans, he would be enabled to move such amendments as he thought should be made in the G-overnment measure. He had only one object in view, viz., that of having the beßt possible measure passed into law for placing the question of parliamentary representation on a satisfactory footing, and to attain that object he would assist the Attorney -General as far as lay in his power. The amendment and the Bill were withdrawn. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to consider an address to the Governor requesting his Excellency to place upon the estimates a sum to encourage, by way of bonus, the production of wattle bark in the colony. The Pbemieb said the Government had considered the subject, and would place on the estimates £4OO for the compilation of a book setting forth all the exotic plants likely to succeed in New Zealand. They thought this plan would better meet the object aimed at by the hon. member for Parnell, than offering a bonus as proposed. Several members concurring in the Premier's view, the proposal was accept ed. The Savings Bank Profit Bill was read a second time.

The Hon. Mr Stottt, in moving the second reading of the Administration Bill, explained one of the provisions of the Bill, which was to place all real property in the same position as personal property, to be distributed in the samo way as personal property in all cases where persons having children died intestate. The Bill contained several other provisions, the operation of which would confer a considerable boon on the people of the colony. The Bill was read a second time.

Mr Barton's motion regarding the Wellington police was, by consent, referred to the Gaol Committee to report upon. The House adjourned at midnight.