GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1413, 26 August 1878, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Feidav, August 23. THE ELECTOSAL BILL. Shortly before ten o’clock Mr Stout proceeded to reply to the various arguments urged against the Bill. He regarded the property qualification as the only means of preventing the disfranchisement of property-holders, who might move from place to place. The residential qualification would exclude these if they were away for six months. Indirectly, the property qualification would tend to split up large estates, by encouraging the acquirement of small holdings. Only one avenue to the franchise would not have been desirable, as not opening the door wide enough. But if anything more free were given it would enable hordes of men to come from an adjoining colony to vote. The Bill was the only one which gave a man a vote without asking for a property qualification. In this matter the Government did not go too far, but went hand in hand with public opinion. He defended the proposal to give persons votes in different districts. No harm could arise from women having the franchise, because the question had been tested in school boards and municipal institutions. Ballot papers must be numbered, otherwise there was nothing to prevent people voting at every booth in a place. Public opinion justified a special concession to Maoris. If the Maoris were equally represented with Europeans, it would result in Maoris sending eight or nine members to the House. He contended that the Government had fulfilled its promise, and claimed that it was proposing to deal with the questions of the judicature, finance, and repre-sentation-questions of fa-greater importance than any other Government ever attempted to deal with— in a thoroughly comprehensive manner. While the late Government had said that nothing but political rest was required, in fact had nothing to do, this Government had set before the country its aims, and would endeavor to carry out those aims slowly and surely, like Messrs Gladstone, Bright, and Cobden had done in England, BILLS ADVANCED. The Bribery Bill was read a second time. The Martin Annuity Bill passed. SAVINGS BANKS PKOFIT3. A very long discussion ensued in committee on the third clause of the Savings Banks Profits Bill, which is in effect that when a Savings Bank has by investments of deposits realised a profit exceeding a sum of one thousand pounds, the trustees may declare that any portion of such [profits in excess of one thousand pounds shall be paid over to institutes or literary institutions. A number of members protested against the proposal as unfair to depositors, and likely to lead to malpractices. Mr Whitakee moved that the words “10 per cent, on profits,” instead of a fixed sum, be inserted. After a long discussion it was moved that “seven and a half ” be nsertod for “ ton,” but it was negatived, and Mr Whitaker’s amendment agreed to. Objection was taken by Messrs Swanson and McFaklane to making the Bill apply generally. If it emanated from Otago, then it should be made to apply to Otago only. A new clause was added, making the Bill apply to Otago only. The Bill was then reported with amendments, and the House adjourned at 1.35.