PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 228, 2 August 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[By Tbmqbaph.] [fbom the own oobbbspondent of the “PBKB3.”] WELLINGTON, August I. A meeting of Otago and Southland members was held at Parliamentary Buildings to-day. The meeting was convened by Mr Macandrew, who presided. I understand that the members present were Messrs Bain, Barron, Bastings, Brown, De Lantour, Finn, Fulton, Hirst, Jones, Macandrew, M'Oaughan, M‘Lean,l Murray, Pyke, Shanks, Shrimski, Stewart, and Thomson. The special object of the meeting was to discuss the Bepresentation Bill, and offer suggestions to the Government as to the mode of dealing with the question. There was considerable discussion on the Ministerial proposals for redistribution of representation, and it is understood that a very strong feeling was expressed against the proposed increase in the number of members to ninety-one, and nearly all present intimated their decided preference for a reduction in the number to sixty or thereabouts. It was, however, generally agreed that this, however desirable, was impracticable, owing to the unpopularity of depriving any place of its special representation, and thus in appearance at any rate partially disfranchising it. One or two differed from the view that there wore too many members already, and argued in favor of increasing tho numerioid strength of the House. After considerable discussion the following resolutions were agreed to : (No, 1) On the motion of Mr Brown—“ That in the opinion of this meeting there should be no increase of the number of members in the House of Representatives, and that in any readjustment it shall be understood that city and suburban constituencies should upon tho average have 33 per cent, more inhabitants to the representation than country constituencies.” (2.) On tho motion of Mr Murray “ That each provincial district should have apportioned to it the number of members it is entitled to, and the distribution of such representation should then be arranged by the members at present representing such provincial district.” On the motion of Mr Barron it was resolved “ That Mr Macandrew should wait upon the Premier, and arrange for a deputation of Otago members to lay the above resolutions before the Government." A copy of the resolutions was transmitted to tho Government, so that Ministers might be prepared to deal with the matter. The estimates were finally revised and considered to-day, and they are now definitely in the hands of the printers for presentation to Parliament to-morrow. Every effort is being used to have them ready in time for dietri bution at tho afternoon sitting, but at all events they are almost certain to be down in tho evening. They have undergone extensive modifications, and it is this which has caused the delay in printing. Ministers have been in cabinet all the afternoon on the Public Works Statement, which is expected to be delivered on Friday, or if not then on Monday, when it will be proposed that the House sit for Government imsiness. The present intention is to take the debate on tho financial statement tomorrow evening on the motion of going into committee of supply. There is yet no indication of any fresh hostile movement on the part of the Opposition, nor does it appear probable that another concerted attack will he made on the Government this session. The chances of the Opposition are plainly seen to be hopeless in the present Parliament. Tho Representation and Railways Construction Bills are still not quite ready, but are likely to be circulated towards the end of the week.