HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 192, 3 August 1875, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

(2V # Z. Times, .My SI.) ABOLITION OF PBOVINCES BILL. ,<j&, raessago was received from bis Excellency the Governor, bringing down the Abolition of Provinces Bill. {C&eers.) The Bill was read a first time, o Sir Donald McLean moved that it be read a second lime on Friday next, ■ i; Str ! George Grey urged longer delay before the secoud readiog was taken. Ten day a, at least, should .be allowed for them to consider so important a question. , Mr O'Conor supported the suggest Jiosj, - / The Hon. Major Atkinson explain/d thaiUhe Government intended to give an explanation of the Bill on Friday, ajadi should then be agreeable to allow it to stand over, for bo me time longer, to allow hon, members to make up tleir a^fods on the matter. \ Mr Reid asked for much longer delaY in order that the constituencies mighN, hive; an opportunity of expressing an opinion. If they got the explanation pa Friday, he hoped there would then ha^a delay of three weeks. (No, do.) He did not come there to express the opinions of the Government, its suggestions, or even the Opposition's, bjjt.his own views only, and he considered that delay was required. _ M,r Wpod considered Friday a most iDppnlvQni^nt day, and urged that the second reading should be taken on Tuesday' week. Meflafs Luckie and Sheehan supported the motion, but the latter gentlemen wished to know whether (he Government intended to telegraph the Bill to all papers. ■ ! The Hon Mr Bowen said it would be telegraphed in full to every paper in thetcouotry. Mr Filzberbert followed in a long/ speech, in which he referred sarcastic/ ally to the promise made by the Premier last session, that a barrister of la/ge colonial experience should be employed ip draw up a thorough scheme, /and to retraarH^e details off this scheme most complete, he should by personal observation, during the recess, ascertain the circumstances <ff the various districts. The hoc. member asked who that gentleman wafe, and where he had been employed. I After some further discussion, in which Sir George Grey enquire! why j the constitutional practice haet been departed from, by the Bill beingtintroduced by Governor's message* and was aoswered by the Speaker, thVt as the BUI provided for an appropriation this course was necessary; and w4x SWanaoh in answer to a question, war informed that the Representation Bill would be placed on the table as soon as possible, the motion was carried. ~i[;. '.._• LQCAL GOVERNMENT BILL. 'Sit Donald McLean, by leave, introduced the local Government Bill, which was read a first time, and a motion j made and carried for its second reading/ on Friday next. 7