HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 195, 14 August 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Tuesday night, In the House this afternoon Mr Shrimski gave notice of motion that he would move that the beer duty be increased to threepence. Dr. Hodgkinson gave notice to introduce a "Marriage with Deceased Wife's Sister Bill." Mr Macandrew said the Public Works Statement would be brought down some time next week. Returns were promised of all mining accidents for the last three years, fatal or otherwise. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply Mr Ballance, in replying to Major Atkinson, said the Bills embodying the Government policy were nearly ready, and he expected to move their second reading on Tuesday, when the Opposition would be afforded an opportunity of discussing the whole policy of the Government. The first item on the Estimates proposed was " Liabilities of 1877-78, £115,440." A good deal of discussion ensued, several Opposition members requesting information as to why in certain instances the amounts voted last year had been exceeded. The Government explained that the information involved a lot of details which it was impossible to carry in one's head. The item was passed on the understanding that they would ultimately furnish the information asked for.

1 The item " Usher of Legislative Council, , £250," caused a good deal of discussion) and { ultimately on being put to the vote it was struck out by 4o against 23. T*h'e next item objected to was " Clerk of Writs, JeiOO," a new salary^ Tb's encountered brjjVosittyn;, The discussion was interrupted by 5.30. . , „, Wednesday. On the Houses resuming a\, 7,30- sas^, hfctit the debate on the felecuorai Bill was continued 07 Sir George Grey, who spoke at considerable length in favor of the Bill, saying that it would enfranchise 70,000 persons, aud was the first step in the great charter of rights which he proposed to give to the people. They framed the measure sb ,that it could be carried through tile Hduse: They did uofc wailt to go too far at first, and any other measure of the same kind that might be brought forward would be iil-advised, and he hoped their party would cling together in order to carry oiit the great measure they had introduced. Dr. Wallis admitted that the Bill was a great step in advance, but why not go the whole distance at once, and give manhood suffrage pure and simple, as had been promised over and over again, and as the country had a right to expect. Mr Gisborne approved of the extension of the franchise, but, at the same time preserving the rights of property. He disapproved of woman's franchise. She would be out of place in the Mouse as much as a mau would be in the nursery. Mr Saunders went into a careful criticism of the Bill, pointing out what he considered its deficiencies, such as sweeping away public nominations. He criticised the action of the Premier as being backward in character. Dr. Hodgkinson approved of the Bill in the maiu, but regretted it was not accompanied by a Bill for redistributing seats. He disapproved of the women's franchise and Hare's system. Messrs Bowen, Sutton, and Woolcock criticised the Bill, and the debate was then adjourned until to-day, the House rising at 11.50. p.m.