GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 587, 14 August 1878, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[PRESS AGENCY.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, August 13. Colonel Brett raised a question of privilege in onisecmence of an article, reflecting on Mr Martin, that ..appeared in the Timaru Herald of the 3rd inst. The motion was ultimately withdrawn and the Council adjourned; HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, August 13. Shrirnski gave notice to mwe that the beer duty be increased to threepence. Hodgkinson gave notice to introduce the marriage of decbasod Wife’s Sister’s Bill. Mr Macandrew said, the Public Works Statement would be brought down sotne time next week. A return is promised of all mining accidents for last three years, fatal or otherwise; On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr B.illance, in replying, to Major Atkinson, said, bills embodying the Government policy were nearly ready, and he expected to move for their second reading on Tuesday, when the Opposition would have an opportunity of discussing the tfhde policy of the Government.

First item of Estimates proposed was for the liabilities of 18?7-8, £115,440. A good deal of discussion ensued several, Opposition members requesting information as to why in certain instances, amounts voted last year had’, been exceeded. Government explained. The information involved a list of details, which it was impossible to carry in one’s head. The item passed on the understanding that Government ultimately furnish the information asked for. The item, Usher, Legislative Council, ,£250, caused a good deal of discussion. Ultimately it was put to the vo+e, and struck out by 40 against 23. The next item oljected to was Clerk of Writs, £IOO, a new salary* This encountered much opposition. Discussion was interrupted at 5*30.

August 14. On tlie House resuming, at 7.30 last night,

The debate on the Electoral Bill Was continued by Sir George Grey, who spoke at considerable length in fator of the Bill, saying it would enfranchise 70,000 persons, and was the first step iu the great charter of rights proposed to give the people. They framed the measure so that it could be carried through the House; they did not want to go SO fitr at first. Any other measure of the same kind that Would be hi ought before the House would be illadvised, and he hoped their party would cling together in order to carry out the great measure they had intro* duced.

Mr Wallis admitted that the bill was a great step in advance j but why not go the whole distance at once, and give manhood suffrage pure and simple, as had been promised over and over again, as the country had a right to expet. Mr Gisborne approved of the extension of the franchise, which at the same time was protecting the rights of property. He disapproved of Woman’s franchise. She would be out of place in the House, as much as a man would be in the nursery.

Mr Saunders went into a careful criticism of the bill, pointing out what he considered deficiencies, such as sweeping away public nominations. He criticised the action of the Premier as being backward in his character! Mr Hodgkinson approved of the bill in the main, but regretted that it wa» not accompanied by a bill re-distributing seats. He disapproved of women’s franchise, and Mare’s system. Messrs Bowen, button, and Woolcock criticised the bill, and The debate was adjourned till next day, the House rising at 11.50 p.m.