GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1784, 8 November 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, November 7. The Katikati settlers’ petition for a sum to be placed on the estimates for making a road from Katikati to the Thames was presented! The Treasurer promiaed to consider the question of increasing the duty on colonial hops in the preparation of the financial measures. He could say no more at present. The Government declined to state whether they intend to put a duty on all colonial imports, but had the question under considera tion. The Government would confer with Mr Justice Johnston as to the giving effect to the rccommendatson contained in the interim report of the Reprint of Statutes Commission laid before the House last session. In reply to a question, Mr Olives said there was a rule making it imperative that all railway employes on the South Island lines should belong to a Railway Benefit Society, but it was not enforced. He stated that it was optional for n member to continue his subscription and remain a member. Mr BaIIANCB gave notice of a motion that County Councils should exercise the functions of Waste Lands Boards within their respective districts, and that the Boards should he abolished in 1860. The Government said that no communication had been received from Rewi relative to the extension of the main lino of rail way from Auckland to Taupo and the West Coast. They would test the practicability of tbo route with the least possible delay. Mr Olives said that plans for railway workshops at or near Dunedin, similar to those in Dunedin, are in preparation. A sum would be placed on tho estimates for the work. The Triennial Parliaments Bill was brought up as amended. Mr Reeves moved that clause 3 be amended to make Parliament expire in December, 1882, instead of in February. The Premier wanted the Bill reported and tbo other business proceeded with. The Bill was then reported, by 43 against 24, read a third time, and passed. On the motion of the Premier, tho Qualification of Electors Bill was further considered in Committee. Sir G. Qeey considered manhood suffrage was all that was required. He supported the amendment proposed to bo introduced by Mr Moss, providing that the property qualification should be dispensed with, and “one month” substituted for “ six months.” Mr Montgomery moved that no property qualification should entitle any elector to more than one vote in the colony. Mr Swanson supported with some warmth the retention of tho property qualification as an encouragement to the acquisition of the same by the working man. Dr. Wallis also concurred. The Pbemike contended that the country did not want to exclude property from the qualification. Only those out of office asked for it. Those persons only a few weeks earlier had no intention of opposing a property qualification. The debate was interrupted by 5.30. EVENING SITTING. Tho Elections Validation Bill, which is to validate tho elections of Messrs Oolbeck and Tawhai, and is retrospective and indemnifies both from all pains and penalties whatsoever, was under discussion. Mr Montgomery wanted progress reported. Mr Turnbull said it was useless trying, tho Government having a majority of qualified members who sold themselves. Mr Andrews took a similar view. Sir G. Geey said if the Bill was carried he would bring down a request that the proceedings of the Committee on the Christchurch elections be expunged from the journals of the House on the ground that it was made a party question and the proceedings were irregular. The Pbbmiee denied that the Christchurch Petition Committee was a party one. Sir G. Geey reiterated the assertion. A more un-just course had never been pursued than in that case. Mr Hutchinson said a gross injustice had been done in that case. On the question being put that progress bo reported, it was lost on the voices. Messrs Montgomery and Sbddon protested against the Bill altogether. Mr London deprecated the action of Mr Montgomery, and threatened to go into the Government lobby if he persisted. He would not see his friend Mohi injured because his name was coupled with that of the member for Marsden. Sir G, Geey said the action taken against the member for Marsden was merely a friendly one to prevent penalties being recovered. A division was called on tho question to report progress, with the following result: — Ayes, II ; noes, 41. The Bill was then reported, with Tc Wheoro’s name added. The Bill then passed, Tho Qualification of Electors Bill was then committed. A division was taken on Mr Montgomery’s amendment, allowing no more than one vote. The amendment was negatived by 30 against 25. The following is tho division list:— Noes. Messrs Adams ’ I Messrs Murray Atkinson I Oliver Bain I Ormond Brandon j Pitt Bryce I Bolleston Colbeck I Saunders Driver j Stevens (teller) Hall I Sutton Hamlin I Swanson ’ Hurathouse j Tomoana (teller) I Wallis Johnston I White Kelly I Willis Levin I Wright “McLean I Biohardson Ayes. Messrs Ballance Messrs Moss Barron Eeid DeLautour Seddon (teller) Shanks Dick Sheehan J. T. Fisher Shephard SirG. Grey Speight Messrs Harris Swanson Hutchison Tawhai London Te Wheoro Macandrew Tolo Macdonald Trimble Montgomery Turnbull (teller)