GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 619, 21 September 1878, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[PRESS AGENCY.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, September 20. The census returns were laid on the table. _ In reply, to Mr Richardson’s question regarding railway (what railway 1), Mr Macandrew said everything in the matter had been done openly and above board, and all the information as to dates of tender, <fec, asked for was laid on the table. No present liability of any kind had been incurred. The liabilities were entirely prospective, and no arrangement had been made as to any extension. Several Bills were read a first time. The question of the rates of pay to the police was remitted to a Select Commitee. The Electoral Bill was further considered in Committee j in clause 142 an amendment was made by which the numbers placed on the ballot papers can be sealed over so as not to be open to inspection except by breaking the seal. After the main clauses had gone through Committee, Mr Stout stated he would propose a clause to allow* Maoris to vote both as ratepayers and as freeholders. A good deal of objection was taken to this proposal, and the discussion was interrupted by 5.30. September 21. All last night the House was in committee on the Electoral Bill, A very long discussion ensued on the postponed clause dealing with the Maori qualification. Mr Stout said the Government had reconsidered this matter since the danse was previously before the House, as the Native Minister had said in his statement, and they now proposed that the Maoris should have two qualification—that was freehold qualification and payment of rates qualification. A division took place on the amendment proposed by the Attorney-General; for the amendment, 43; against, 35. The following is the division list:— For the amendment; Messsrs Baigent, Ballance, Barton, Bastings, J. 0. Brown, Bunny, Carrington, de Latour, Dignan, Feld wick, Fisher, George, Grey, Hamlin, Hislop, Hobbs, Hodgkinson, Joyce, Kenny, Macandrew, M'Farlane, M'Minn, Moorshouae, ‘ Moss, Murray, ' Nahe, Fyke, Rees, Reeves, Rowe, Saunders, Seaton, Sheehan, Shrimski, Stout, Swanson, Taiaroa, Tokomoaua, Tawiti, Thompson, Tole, Wakefield, und Wood. Against the amendment : Messrs Atkinson, Barff, Bowen, Brandon, Brown, J. C., Bryce, Curtis, Douglas, Fitzroy, Fox, Gibbs, Gisborne, Green, Henry, Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, M‘Lean, Montgomery, Morris, MurrayAynsley, Oliver, Ormond, Richardson, Richmond, Rolleston, Russell, Seymour, Sharp, Stevens, Su;ton, Tescheraaker, Wason, Whitaker, and Woolcock. Progress was reported at 3.10., and the House adjourned.