GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1789, 14 November 1879, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIYES. PBy Teieqeaph.) Thuesdat, Novbmbee 13, BLEOTIONEBBING TELEGEAITS. After a long debate on the electioneering telegrams sent by the late Government, Major Atkinson said the Government were prepared to accept the committee, which they thought very desirable under the circumstances. He was very sorry for what his friend the member for the Thames said about the Telegraph Department. It was not the Telegraph Department which was responsible, but (the Commissioner of Telegraphs. In his mind all telegrams sent at the public expense were public property. He would move as an amendment that the papers presented by the House to-day, alleged to be copies of certain telegrams concerning the late elections, be referred to a Select Committee of the House to ascertain whether the production of such telegrams is contrary to law, and to ascertain the total number of such telegrams sent or received by the late Government at the public cost. Mr Hale could not consent to telegrams being withdrawn which had been sent to the Government by private persons at the public cost. Such telegrams might go before the committee for them to deal with. With regard to the legality of the question, the Telegraphs was entirely responsible and quite willing to take the responsibility. He might further say that the Government had been acting under legal advice. Sir G. Gbbt said he too should take legal advice to see if he could not proceed against the Premier for having read his telegram, an action for which he ought to be thoroughly ashamed. He denied that there was any right to publish a telegram because it was not paid for, and ho should see if the Law Courts would not give him redress. Mr Macandeew having accepted the amendment, the following committee was appointed : Messrs Montgomery, Saunders, Tunbull, Wakefield, Brown, Pitt, Gisborne, Macandrew, and the mover (Major Atkinson). ELECriTB COUNCIL. Sir Geo. Qekt moved the second reading of the Elective Legislative Council Bill. Speaking of the constitution of the House, ho said there were men in it more dangerous than contractors from the fact of claims which they made over certain lands. Ho should advocate a chamber of a hundred persons who would enable the Government to command more confidence than they could otherwise do. He would also favor an elected governor, but at present no man could propose such a system with any hope of success. Ho believed the country was prepared to receive an elective Legislative Council. It was impo seiblo to have a Council i n the way they had it now without very much influencing and prejudicing the tone of the Lower House. He referred to the class of men who now occupied the Council, who he alleged did a great deal of injury to the country in consequence of the permanent positions which they held. Intriguing must go on as long as the Council existed as it did under the present state of things. Whatever ills might bo brought about by the Council as at present constituted, there would be no redress. No matter how inimical certain members might be to the 'interests of the country, they were fixed for life, and could not be removed. He objected to the manner in'which a certain favoured few could be put backwards and forwards from the Council to the House. What he would propose was to look to the North Island as a great elective constituency and the South Island as another. He would propose that the Legislative Council consist of twenty-seven members (forty-three being present uumber), of whom there should bo

twelve Europeans for the Middle Island twelve for the North, and three Maori members. After some discussion, the debate was adjourned for a week.