PARLIAMENTARY

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2322, 13 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY

I [PBBSS ASSOCIATION TKLEGBAM.J LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Monday, Sbptbmbeb 12. The Council met at 2 30 p. m. The Hon. Colonel Bruit gave notioe to move that the report of the Privilege Committee re the sale of honorarium be oonfidered. The Sheep Act (1878) Amendment Bill, and the West Coast Settlement Act (1880) Amendment Bill (Hon. P. Whitaker) were read a first time. The Railway Construction Bill (from the Lower House) was also read a first time.

The Hon. Dr. Merzies was given leave for tho rest of the cession. The Council decided to adhere to its amendments in the Licensing Bill, and Messrs Waterhouso, G. B. Johnson, and Whitaker were appointed to draw up reasons. The Council ako decided to adhere to its amendments in the Pensions Bill, and Messrs Whitaker, Waterhouse, and Acland were appointed to frame reasons.

The amendments by the Lower House in the Adoption of Children Bill were agreed to

The Native Land Division Bill was read a eeoond time by 22 to 8. Division liet:— For the Bill—Hons. Acland, Baillie, Brett, Chamberlain, Fraser, Graoe, Hart, Holmes, G. B. Johnston, J. Johnston, Kohere, Miller, Ngatata, Nurse, Beynolds, Bichmond, Robineon, Sootland, Waterhouse, Whitaker, Williamson, Wood. Against—Hons. P. A. Buckley, Dignan, Henderson, Lahman, Martin, Peacock, Peter, Wilßon. The Harbors Aot, 1878, Amendment Bill was thrown out by 17 to 9, it being considered that the Bill had no chance of passing in the Lower House. The Timaru Water Baca Beserve Bill and Rabbit Nuisance Bill were read a second time. The following Bills were read a third time and passed :—The Prisons Aot Amendment Bill, Post-ofiloe Bill, Dogs Registration Bill, Timaru Harbor Board Act Amendment Bill, Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association Beserve Bill, Akaroa High School Bill. The Council rose at 5.10 p.m. HOUSE OF REPBEBENTATIVES. Monday, Septehbeb 12. AFTERNOON SITTING. Tho House reassembled at 2 30 p.m. MINISTEBIAI STATEMENT. The Hon. J. Hali stated that, in aocordanoe with a promise made at the end of last week, he would now state the measures on the order paper which were proposed to be pushed on this session and those which would

be dropped. Of the former he namad—lnspection of Machinery, Employment of Females and Others, Volunteera, Publio Works, Friendly Societies, Companies and Fisheriea Bills. The Public Worka Bill, he believed, waa doubtful, and although they expected to get it passed, ita aotual passing would depend upon the length of the discussion. The Friendly Societiea and Companies Bill, unless strongly opposed in committee, would be passed. The Hespitals and Charitable Aid Bill waa a useful measure, which would again have to be dropped, alao the Roads Construction and Grown and Native Lands Bating Bills. The Sharebrokers Act Bepeal and Patents Aot Amendment Bills would alao have to be dropped. The Town District and Counties Act Suspension Bills he hoped to be able to pass, and unless serious opposition was offered they would aucoeed in doing ao. It had been suggested to refer the Corrupt Praoticea Prevention Bill to a Select Committee, and Government would be able to state definitely to-morrow what was proposed to be done with it. Government expected to get through the estimates during this week, and if hon. members would condense their remarks on the various measures, he hoped the prorogation might take place about the middle of next week.

BUM PASSED. The Thermal Springs District Bill was further committed, passed through committee, and reported with amendments, which were agreed to. The Bill wai read a third time and passed. The .Native Lands Fraud Prevention Bill, and Native Succession Bills were considered in committee, reported with amendments, read a third time and passed. The House adjourned at 5.30.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. BAST COABT LAND DISTRICT BILL.

The Hon. W. Bolleston moved the recommittal of the East Coast Land District Bill, for the purpose of reinserting olause 2, which had been struck out in committee. Without it the Bill would bo useless, and if it was reinserted he would take care that the East Ooast district was fairly represented on the Napier Board. Mr Mobs strongly objected to the attempt to reverse the deliberate decision of the committee, and take the East Ooast district out of the operation of the liberal Auckland land laws to put it under the illiberal Hawke's Bay regulations. He moved that progress be reported. Mr McDokaxu objected to the district being attached to the Hawke's Bay one. The Hon. W. Bollestok said he was willing to report progress in order to enable Mr McDonald to become better acquainted with the wishes of his constituents. Progress was reported. TJPPBB HOTTBB AMENDMBKTS.

A message was received from the Council insisting on its amendment in the Pensions Bill. The House resolved to insist on its disagreement thereto, and appointed Messrs Shrimaki, Stewart, Pitt, Saunders, and McLean a committee to draw up reasons. On the Hon. J. Hail's motion it was resolved to disagree with the Council's amendment on the Dog Registration Bill, and Messrs Dick, Seymour, and Ballance were appointed a committee to draw up reasons. LEABKHOUDESS' QUALIFICATION Bill, J On the motion for the second reading of the Leaseholders' Qualification Bill, Mr Gisboenk rose to a point of order. The Bill was simply a transcript of a clause of a Bill which had been already negatived, and it could not, ho urged, again be brought up that itssion.

The SrEAKKB ruled that the clause in the Representation Bill referred to was negatived on the distinct understanding that it should be embodied is a separate Bill. The Hon. J. Hall briefly moved the second reading, which was Btrongly supported by Dr. Wallis. Sir G. Gbky said he would move an amendment in committee to prevent any man exercising more than one vote on any qualification.

Mr Sbddon pointed out that this could not be done, as the question of restriction to a single vote had already been settled this session. He moved that the Bill be read a seoond time that day six months. Mr Andbews suggested that the leasehold qualification should be restricted to registered leases, so as to prevent the creation of a bogus qualification. Mr Stswabt supported the Bill. Sir G. Geby objeoted to the Bill on the ground that it would give wealth additional power—a power it ought not to possess. In oommittee, if hia proposal restricting persona to one vote was out of order, he would move that that limit be restricted to two, and if that was lost then to three, and so on until the voting power of wealth had some limit placed on it.

Mr Mobs would like to see the freehold vote abolished, but while this was retained and plural voting allowed, the leaseholders should also be allowed to vote.

Mr Eeit) opposed the Bill, and Mr Saunders said he would support Sir G. Grey's proposals. On a division the seoond reading was carried, by 45 to 16. Division list : Ayes, 45—Messrs Atkinson, Bain, Barron, Beetham, Brandon, Bryce, Bunny, Colbcck, Collins, Dick, Driver, J. B. Fisher (Bullor), Sir Wm. Fox, Messrs Fulton, Gibbs, Hull, Harris, Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Kenny, Levin, Lundon, Mason, McDonald, McLean, Moss, Murray, Oliver, Ormond, Kollston, Russell, Saunders, Seymour, Shanks, Stevens, Btewart, Sutton, Swansor, Wakefield, Wullis, Whitaker, Wbyte, Wood, Wright. Noes, 16 Messrs Allwright, Andrews, Ballanoe, J. T. Fisher (ffouthcote), Gaor£e, Hutchison, Jones, Levestam, Montgomery, Pitt, Reid, Seddon, Shephard, Shrimeki, Thomson, Turnbull.

Pairs.—Ayes—Messrs Tole, Stud holme. Noes—Messrs Speight and Beeree. The Bill was road a second time ; and en the motion for committal, Mr Seddon threatened to opposo its further passage at every stage. In committee on clause 2, Mr Ttjbnß'Oxi; moved the addition of " provided the said leaseholder exercises the franchise in respect of no other qualification." Negatived on the voices. Mr Andbews moved to insert the words "leaseholder duly registered." Negatived on the voices. Mr Levhstam moved a further amendment restricting each elector to a single vote for one member, and in one electorate only. The amendment was lost by 37 to 20. Sir G. Obey moved as a further amendment—" Provided that no elector shall, in respect of this or any other Act, vote for more than one electorate." The Hon. J. Hali, contended that a propoeal of this kind ought to be dealt with by the Regulation of Elections Act. Moreover, it had boon already decided in the negative. Mr Spbight moved that progress be reported.

Messrs Lbvbbtam and TtrENßTmi; supported the motion, which was negatived on the voioes.

Sir G. Grey's motion vras then put—Ayes, 20; noes, 32.

Sir G. Gbby then moved—" That no electors should, under any Act, vote in more than two electorates."

The House divided—Ayes, 20; noes, 32. Sir G. Gbey then "moved—" That no elector should under any Act vote in more than three electorates."

The House divided—Ayos, 28 ; Noes, 27. The amendment was carried. Division list— Ayes—Messrs Andrews, Bullanoe, Barron, J. B. Fisher (Heathoote), George Gibbs, Gisborne, Sir G. Grey, Messrs Harris, Hutchison, Jones, Leveetam, Lundon, McDonald, Montgomery, Pitt, Beid, Saunders, Shephard, Shrimski, Stewart, Taiaroa, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Tole, Turnbull, Weston, Wocd. Noes—Messrs Atkinson, Bain, Beetbam, Brandon, Bryoe, Oolbeck, Dick, Driver, Hall, W. J. Hurst (City of Auckland West), Johnston, MoLean, Murray, Ormond, Bolleaton, Bussell, Shanks, Stevens, Studholme, Sutton, Bwanson, Wakefield, Wallis, Whitaker, Why te, Wright. Sir G. Gbby asked how the Government would give effect to the declared will of the House that no one should vote in more than three electorates.

The Hon. J. Hadi said that Government would be prepared after due consideration togive a reply. Sir G. Gbby said he really thought the matter was so Berious that it did demand time for consideration.

The Hon. J. Hail said that this conaideration would be given. The exultation of the hon. member could be pardoned, as he had for ones, and once only, this session carried hia point. Mr Gibbs hoped that the Premier would recognise the will of the majority. The remaining clauses were agreed to on the Bill being reported. The Hon. J. Hall moved that the amendmenta be considered to-morrow.

Mr G kobse moved that they be agreed to at once.

The Hon. J. Hall hoped that the House would not agree to any aueh proposal. The Government were entitled to have time to censiderthe important amendments which had been made.

The motion for considering the amendments to-morrow was carried by 38 to 26. THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE.

At 12.50, on the motion for adjournment,

Sir G. Gebt asked the Government what had been done in regard to the points raised yesterday by Mr Gisborneaa to the Governor's departure from the colony. The Hon. J. Hall said the matter had been communicated to the Governor, who did not think there was anything in the points. The Attorney-General had carefully considered the points, and it waa agreed that there was> nothing in them.

Sir G. Gbbt expreaeed himself aatisfied, and at 12.55 the House rose.