GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1412, 24 August 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[PER PBES3 AfIBNOY.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Feiday, August 23. the babbit nuisance. Colonel Whitmobe moved for leave to introduce a Bill for the destruction of rabbits. The Bill was read n first time, and the second reading fixed for Tuesday next. SALES OF LAND. A motion for a return of the price per acre received for all Government lands (excepting town and suburban lands) sold in Canterbury and Otago during the year ending 30th June, 1877, was agreed to. COUNTIES ACT. Mr Hall's motion for a return of those counties in which the whole of the Counties Act has been brought into force, and of those in which the whole of the Act is not in force, was agreed to. SECOND BEDDINGS. The Fraudulent [Debtor and Friendly Societies Bills were read a second Urne, and ordered to be committed next Tuesday. SOUTHLAND HIGH SCHOOLS. The Southland Boys and Girls' High Schools Act, 1877, Amendment Bill was considered in committee. Progress was reported, and the Bill read a third time. LAKE ELLESMEBE TBUST. The Lakes Ellesmere and Forsyth Keclamation and Akaroa Eailway Trust Bill was discussed. The debate was adjourned till 7.30. EVENING SITTING. ■fl& AKAEOA TEUST. At 7.30 the delate on the Ellesmere and Forsvth Bill was resumed. A long discussion ensued, in which Col. Brett, Sir J). Bell, Cap). Fraser, and Messrs Kenny and Hall, and Col. Whitmore took part. A dirisioa was taken on the motion for the

second reading of the Bill. The Ayes were 11; Noes, 6. The Bill was then read a second time, and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Fbidat, August 23. The House met at, 2.30. jackson's bat settlement. Mr Baeff gave notice to move for an enquiry into the working of Jackson's Bay settlement. AUCTTONEEB3' LICENSES. In reply to Mr Shrimski, Mr Stout said there was no provision for dealing with auctioneers' licenses. MB MACANDBEW'S DUNEDIN SPEECH. Mr Fox asked the Minister of Works whether, at a public banquet in Dunedin in March last, he made the following statement, as reported by the shorthand reporter for the local press present on that occasion:—" There is now a public opinion being engendered throughout New Zealand which may yet compol Parliament to restore to the people those privileges of which they have been deprived, and to restore those provincial institutions of which they have been deprived, not probably exactly as they were, but institutions grea*ly improved and more adapted to the altered circumstances of the colony ?" And if it is true that he did use those expressions, what he meant ? Mr Macandbew said probably he used those words or something like them, but he could not be expected to remember exactly what words lie said after such a lapse of time. But if he used that language it was scarcely to be wondered at in his case, looking back on his past career. But he pointed out that in construing his language the words referred to should be read with what went before and after. In fact,, the tenor of the whole speech should be considered. CHABITABLE INSTITUTIONS. Mr Stevens asked whether the Government will bring in a measure to provide for the management of charitable institutions. Mr Stout was understood to say Government did not so intend, but merely to legislate for the disposal of the funds. population betubns. In reply to Mr Babff, the Government promised a return of the population of Wellington and Westland districts, together with the number of children attending the schools under the Education Act in each of the above-named districts. UPPEB THAMES SETTLEMENT. Mr Rowe asked whether the Government intended to set aside any land in the Upper Thames district for special settlement. Mr Stout said they had now no power to do so, but they intended to take steps in the matter. THE PBEMIEB'B DUNEDIN SPEECH. Mr Johnston asked the Premier whether at a public meetingjat Dunedin in March last he made, as he was reported by the Press to have made, the following statement or statements to a similar effect:—" For years they enjoyed a free and Hberallconstitution. No disasters occurred in consequeneo, but the development of the resources of the colony, and a growth of happiness and contentment ensued unprecedented in the history of British colonies. These institutions were swept away. He asked whether the new ones were such as became free men, and were they likely to conduce to peace and happiness?" If so, whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce such institutions as in their opinion become free men ? The Pbemiee said he was unable to state from memory whether he used those words in Dunedin, thougli he knew he used them in other places, as they correctly expressed hia opinions and views, and he had nothing to retract. As to the other part of the question, the introduction of institutions, &c, he intended to address himself to that, as was his duty. THE ELECTOEAL BILL, Mr Mubeax opposed the details of the Bill. He thought there should have been an appeal to the people before passing such an Act. The taxation of property without representation was, he thought, little short of robbery. He was willing to ne* women ratepayers vote, but not to enter the House as representatives. He opposed too wide an extension of the franchise, which he feared would in this colony lead to a more intense democracy than was seon in Victoria and the United States, and all its attendant evils. What ought to bo studied in solving these problems of Government was the creation of a middle class, Doubling the number of electors on the roll, it appeared to him, was like depriving those now of half their privileges. He thought the Government deserved thanks for introducing so moderate a measure, because then, if not altered in committee so much as ho anticipated it would be, it was not likely to be productive of such radical changes as to bo dangerous. Mr Gkoege'9 only objections to the Bill were that it practically disqualified nearly all the miners who lived in tents and huts. Mr Riciuedson had always been prepared to go further than the Government Bill in regard to the franchise, and was. so still, if Government could see their way. There were portions of the Bill he objected to, but others he approved of, as he did of portions of the Bill of the member for Wuikato, and he would like to see the best in both adopted, so that when it came out of committee its own parents would not know it. Mr Betce asked how it was that when the Opposition were now so loud in asserting that the Bill did not go far enough, they did not bring in such a Bill, or a more extreme measure still, during the long existence of the continuous Ministry. His own opinion was the Bill went too far, as there was no real desire in the country for the extension. Were it not so, the table would bo covered with petitions for the extended franchise. Still, as the measure was a Government one, he would vote for it in the same spirit as if he was giving a casting vote, which might turn a Government out or put it in. Mr Hobbb approved of the residential qualification, but manhood suffrage was not wanted in his part of the country. As to the Maori vote, he was anxious to see the Maoris individualise their titles, pay their rates, and have the same representation as Europeans, He hoped the time would soon arrive when special representation of Maoris was done away with. But taking the Bill as a whole, he could give it his heartiest support. Mr FiTZEOX was surprised at the discrepancy between the Bill and the Premier's policy. There was no necessity for the measure. The great difficulty in the electoral Question was to get people to register, and that would be the same with the present Bill. He heartily approved of keeping the poll open late to allow working men to vote after their day's labor, He opposed the special Maori vote, but would give them increased representation. He would support the Bill. Mr Nahe thought the Europeans were afraid without reason of the Maori dual vote. No harm could arise from it. It had the advantage of leading the Maoris to think their interests were watched over. If, however, fuller representation were granted to the Maoris he would waive this objection. Mr McMinn thought the Bill went unnecessarily far in regard to the suffrage, and he felt pretty certain the country did not require it. He could say his own district did not want it. He approved of the Maori qualifications. They ought to be encouraged in every way to place themselves on the roll. He disapproved of the alteration regarding nominations. He did not believe the new Bill would add many more to the roll. Still he would support the second reading. Mr Rowe would support the Bill, though he did not think it went far enough, when they recollected the professions of the Premier. For the last two or three years manhood suffrage had been his and his party's cry. Well, he was sorry they were not consistent. If no one moved an amendment on the residential clause, he would propose that the term be reduced to twelve months, as a certain residence was necessary. The Maoris should have no more than one vote. Speaking in this connection, the hon. member referred to certain registrations of Maoris at the Bay of Islands, saying that a greater shame or greater sin had never occurred in connection with an election, and he hoped the like would never occur again. He had no sympathy with the principle that a man should nave one

vote, and only one. If a man by industry and perseverance acquired property he should be allowed to vote for it, no matter what part of the colony it was in. He hoped the Bill would be largely amended in committee. Mr Wood referring to the remarks as to the difference between the present Bill, and the promises of the Premier, asked the members of the late Government whether they had ever been unanimous upon any great question, or whether they were unanimous even now. While approving generally of the Bill he hoped some temporary expedient would be adopted, so as to remove the great inequalities of representation that existed at the present time. Mr Muebay-Aynsley said he approved of many of the provisions of the Bill, especially that part doing away with the present system of nomination, which was not in accord with the true principles of the ballot. He also hoped numbers would be dispensed with on the ballot papers. As long as they were retained people would think they were known. As to closing public-houses during elections, no occasion for it had been shown in this colony. He thought the Bill ought not to bo brought into operation before a Readjustment of Representation Bill was introduced. The debate was interrupted by 5.30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. electoeal bill. Dr. Wallis feared that if the amendment of the member for Caversham was carried electoral reform would be postponed till next year, probably indefinitely. As to the Maori special franchise, he maintained that, if the Maori double vote were allowed, the majority of constituencies in the North Island would be placed under the control of the Premier and Native Minister. The hon. gentleman then proceeded at some length to urge the claims of women to the franchise, replying to the various reasons urged against the possibility of women being allowed a seat in the House. It was said that the proper sphere for women was private life, but if they shared private life with man, should he not share public life with the woman, and the only objection againßt doing so was nothing but prejudice, and a prejudice that smacked of the middle ages. It was true that women were indifferent and apathetic in exercising the franchise when given them, but that was only the effect of ages of education. The same argument might bo used against granting the franchise to men. Mr Babton supported all the general principles of the Bill, including the special franchise of Maoris. He was, however, opposed to female suffrage, on the ground that, at the present stage of the progress of the colony, it is inexpedient. Regarding keeping open the polls, he suggested they should be opened earlier in the morning, as well as later in the evening, so as to suit the convenience of the working man. He was strongly opposed to putting numbers on ballot papers, so as to identify the voter with the vote. This was an infringement of the true secrecy of the ballot. Sir R. Douglas said that on this Bill the Opposition were all of one mind, and he felt that he was the only member who stood in opposition to the Bill. Speaking for his constituents, he could say they did not care about such a measure. One fundamental principle he objected to because it gave votes to a class who, not having been brought up as Englishmen, not having a veneration for the traditions of the liberties and institutions of England, were not likely to look at public questions as Englishmen would. He also objected to having the European vote swamped by the Maori votes. He would vote against the Bill, and would divide the House upon it; but if defeated he would do his best to improve the Bill in Committee. A division was called for by Sir R. Douglas, the showing that he stood alone. Mr Turnbull acting as teller, in order to enable him to record his vote. The votes were 61 against 2. Before the Bill was read a second time Mr SnsiMSKi announced that he would give the Bill his hearty support. He felt that if full rights and liberties were not granted to the people, the colony was in very great danger of being afflicted with socialistic demonstrations, such as were to be witnessed on the Continent at present. Mr Reus spoke at some length, congratulating the House and Government on the great advance in liberal reform made, and of which the Bill was an illustration. Ho hoped this occasion would be the inauguration of many future great reforms. At ten o'clock Mr Stout was replying to the arguments against the main principles of the Bill.