PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 194, 16 August 1881, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Tuesday, 15th. lie Houss orst tt 7 30. Sir Dick moved {hat the House in» sist en ths smecdmerfs in the Gaming and Lottrrks Bill, sr.d Messrs Montgomery, Bowrn, oud Dick were appointed Mssegers to draw up reasons. Tbe debate on the Representation Bill was returned by Mr Gibbs, who opposed the Bill, end supported Mr Gieboroe'e amendment without any feeling of cntaponism to tbe Government. He felt bound to defend to the ufmostthe political existence of his district, wbicb was threatened with extinctioD. He considered the Bill was one to throw the Government of the Colony icto the hands of the Provincial districte of Canterbury and Oiago. Canterbury an;l Ofsgo were <o have 45 members, and a!l the rest of the Colony o&ly 46. He suggested that the boundaries of his district should be extended, and cot that it should be wiped cut. Altogether is was one of the oldest districts in tbe colony — the oldest go! <3 field. It hsd derived no sdvsntoL'e from Public Works expenditure, it really had lees community of interest with Motueka, to which it was to ba attached, than it had with Wellinetor. Mr George opposed the Bill. It was not one to give representation on the basis of population, or else the Maoris would have been taken into account ; they were British subject*, and entitled by law lo be on an electoral roll. He objected to towns being cut up into single electorates. Under such a scheme of representation as proposed, the North Island would have no chance in the distribution of any future loan, the seat of Government would probally be moved to Canterbury, and the direct steam service be given to Otsgo. Dr. Wsliis expressed his qualified disapproval cf the Bill, and unqualified disapproval of ihe amendment. He advocated a complete system of equal electoral districts, and strongly supported the system of single electorates Tbe Bill proposed a moat unfair preponderance of members to the South. If the Bill was passed the North would demand separation. Mr Sutton supported the Bill generally, alttiough be wished it had not proposed to increase the number of HKoaberß at present. He objected to Wairoa being thrown into Auckland, and would have no objection to having another member for Nelson. He approved of single electorates. Mr Shephard thought Ministers had got tbe model of tbia Bill in the ssme piece £8 they got the model of their Beer Tax — in America. TLey could not have gone to a worse school for an English coiocy. There wss no principle in equal electoral districts. ComDQuaity of iuterest was /ar moreitaporlfinttbenfqualityofmertters. Heogreed the time would come when the North lelend would eupport a larger population than the South, but if it once perted with political power it woolu never recover it. The South having the power wculd then say, *' You aoted on wrong principles in 1881. and we will retain the power you gave us. 1 ' The North would bitterly regret tbie Bill if it passed. He thanked Mr Suiton for hie suggestion ia regtrd to Neleon, atd be urged the Government to reconsider tbe subject, and to do justice to districts which bad already suffered greatly in other ways.