PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 192, 13 August 1881, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Angus t 12, : The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Bryce gava notica that on going into Committee of Supply ha ha would move a further reduction of Departmental cosf, to the exiont of £30,000, and that the Government bo directed during tbe recess to giva effect thsreto by means of reduction of salaries, consolidation of offices, and otherwise. Replying to questions put, it was Btated that the Government wns aw&re the ownership of laeds iu the Thames district wa3 passing from the Natives to speculators, but they could cos say it was beiag alienated to the prejudice of the mining interest, mi they considered is necessary to push forward the interests of certain freeholds from the Nativep, The cost of connecting ths Lighthouse at- Farewell Spit with Colliugwood by telephone would be eo greet that tbe Government dii not deem it necessary to undertake the work, Tb.B refund made to ex-Judgea Harvey and Weston was in conformity with a resolution passed that where officers were dismissed the 10 per cent, should be repaid. The amount paid Mr Harvey wes £20, an J Mr Weston £19, the Utter being pßid on 31st July last. It waa not the intention of tbe Government to make similar concesiioDS toother public servants, simply od their application for tbe same. Native matters in the Middle Island were under the superintendence of Mr Alexander Mackay, aod for the translation of documents ample provision would be made by the appointment of licensed interpreters.'— The Government had not yet determined to impose the same duty on maiza as was imposed on other cereala, but if they decided on doing so, the proposal would be brought down in the Tariff Bill, which would be ready next week. The ground upon which the Government pave its assent to the Timaru Board Bill, wss that it contained other beside endowment proposals, and they did not wish to burke discussion on the subject. The flood of Harbor Boerd Endowment Hills since propooed to be introduced was aach as to swallow up a very large portion of Crown Lands, and it was upon grounds of policy that they refosed to assent to them. The Prisons Act, 1873, Amendment, the Public Domains, the Inspection of Machinery, tbe Friendly Societies, and the Parliamentary Privileges Bill ware resd a second time. The Public Reserves and East Coast Land District Bills passed through Committee, and the former were reported, read a third. lime, and passed. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m., and resumed at 7 30. The Hon Mr Hal! moved the second reading of the Representation Bill. He alluded to the various measures of electoral reform proposed during the present Parliament, and others which he hoped would yet pass. The present measure was the crowning one to place tbe representation of the people on a satisfactory fooling. Redistribution was periodically necessary, owing to tbe unequal growth of population in a youog country. He strongly eulogised Hare's system of representation 68 the most perfecf, and expreesed a hope he would live <o see it adopted here, bui admitted that is was at present in advance of public opinioDj all they could do, thereiore, was lo equalise the representation under the present system. As to the cumber of members it should depend not on any arbitrary rule, but rather by consideration as to how the colony conld be conveniently divided into electorates within reasonable limits. The House should be made to suit tbe electorates not the electorates to suit tbe House. He reviewed the arguments Bgsinat too small or too large a House. He argued tbst tbe present Bill proposed a fair medium. Tbe country could be fairly divided into 91 electorates. In proportion to population this number was lower than { it had been in former periods in the colony. The leading principle of tbe Bill was the representation in proportion to population. He knew of no other principle which could be adopted as a standard; however it might be desirable to modify it by other considerations, Tbe nature of these modifying considerations he dwelt on at some length. Ab nearly as possible it was proposed as a first step to give each Provincial district representation in proportion to population. He regretted that this would largely reduce tbe represention of Nelson and Wesllaod. Nelson, hewever, would still have a fraction more representation than the was entitled to. The chance popolation were not taken into account in one Island or tbe Maori populatioc In the other. Parliament bad already granted exceptiocal representation ■to tbe Maori people, aud, therefore, they could cot be fairly UkeD into account in apportioning European population, nor coald they fairly be so until the bulk of Ihe Natives bore their fair share of taxation and obeyed onr laws. If ihey were entitled to additional representation it should bs by Native members not by Europeans. He urged a variety of reasons ■why the country districts should have a larger proportionate representation than centres of population. He admitted a good deal might he said on ! iotb sides of the question of single j electorates, The balance of argument was, he thought, in favor of the electorates, as the House had rejected the proposal that in districts entitled to three members there should be a representation of the minority by only giving each elector two votes. He read a long memorandum on the proposed changes in the representation and districts. He claimed that the Bill was a fair and just one, aud hoped i no mere local feeling would be allowed ! to prejudice its consideration, U e moved the second reading of the Bill. Mr Gisborne moved as an amendment That, in the opinion of this House it was not desirable that population should be the sole basis of representation, and that the system of single electorates was unsatisfactory. He urged that the situation, character, and pursuits of the population of various parts " of the Colony should be considered as well as their number. He objected to nearly 600 Armed Coa-

stabulary being included in estimating the population on which Taranaki's representation was estimated. If Nelson would only revolt and get up an insurrection which would require a large force to be sent to quell it, Nelson would on this principle be entitled to retain its representation. Goldfields, he contended, were entitled to a large proportion of representation, owing to the large proportion of adult males to the population. This meant a large proportion of taxpayers. Single electorates, ho contended, intensified rather than reduced the evil of non-represen-tation of large minorities. What was wanted in this Colony was an elastic system of representation, which would adjust itself to varying circumstances. He disclaimed all party feeling in his amendment. Sir G. Grey said he attached very little importance to the details of representation, while all the representatives did was subject to review by the nominated Chamber. With the details of the Bill he could not agree, but the spirit of representation according to the population he would support. Sir William Fox replied at a great length to Sir G. Grey, affirming that the present Bill was exactly like one brought forward by the Grey party. Mr Sheehan defended Sir G. Grey. The North had still the fullest confidence in Sir G. Grey, and it was impossible to " wipe him out." 3MJMHIB-J g— "BißSSaßStftatt