PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5431, 23 August 1878, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thursday, August 22. The Hou. the Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. NEW BILL. Notice of tho introduction of the Destruction of Rabbits B II was given by the Hon. Colonel Whitmore. executive councillor bill. This Bill was read a third' time, and passed. THE CONGRESS. ■The Hon. Captain KUAriER moved the adoption of tho address to the Queen brought np on the previous day, Tho motion was seconded by the Hon. Major Richmond. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE said no Colonial Legislature had as yet sent any address. Had tlio Government been officially communicated with, it was probable that they would have taken action. This motion was not a Governmont question, and, speaking as a member of the Council, ho felt glad that they had come forward \ ♦ express the feelings which he believed were very general throughout the country. He suggested that the document would be the. better for some verbal amendments. The Hon. Hr. MILLER, whilst agreeing with the spirit of the address, thought with tho Colonial Secretary that verbal alterations should be made in the document. The Council then resolved itself into a committee for the purpose of considering the address. A loiJg and at times animated discussion took place on the wording, and it was ultimately passed as follows, having occupied two hours in its consideration : To Her Most Excellent Majesty, Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, ' Empress of India. , , ' Host Gracious Sovereign,—We. your Majesty s loyal and dutiful subjects, tho Legislative Council of New Zealand, in Parliament assembled, approach your Majesty with assurances of our loyal attachment to your Majesty’s throne n»«d person. In common with your Majesty’s subjects in every part of tho Empire, we have watched with tho deepest interest the progress of events in the course of the war In tho East of Europe, now, we hops, happily terminated ; and we desire gratefully to recognise tho wisdom and firmness with which tho honor aud Interests of the Empire have been upheld, even amidst adverse circumstances We hav • rejoiced to observe the alacrity with which the inhabitants of the most remote parts of your. Majesty's dominions have evinced their determination, even in tho event of its becoming necessary to resort to arms, to assist your Majesty in maintaining the ordotand integrity of the Empire. In the success which has crowned your Majesty’s exertions in he cause of humanity.justice, and honor, at the Berlin Congress, wo recognise the elements which, by consolidating tho Empire and by erecting barriers against future aggression, give promise of an honorable and durable peace. NELSON HABBOR BOARD BILL. The second reading of this Bill was moved by : the Hon. Hr. Edwards, who said its object was to constitute a local board for harbor purposes in Nelson, The Hon. Hr. .WATERHOUSE opposed the Bill. The Hon. Colonel WHITH f 'RE would not at this stage oppose the measure, as it would go to the Waste Lands Committee. He would call attention to tho danger of small loans depreciating the credit of the colony in England. The Bill was then read a second time. SOUTHLAND HIGH SCHOOLS BILL.

The secoud reading of this measure was moved by the Hon. Mr. Reynolds, who explained that it w.*s -•imply to remedy a defect in a measure passed List <=e**ion. Sir DILLON" LKLL called a f tenfcion to a v/ant of explicitness in the second section, and suggested it'* being remedied, and the Hon, Mr. 'COILAXD said tho title also was iefeotive The Bill was then read a second time. , OAMARU WATERWORKS BILE. The adjourned debase on the second reading of this Bill, to amend the Oamaru Waterworks Act, 1875, was resumed at the evening sitting. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE criticised the Bill at some length. He thought it would be dishonest on the put of the Legislature to step in between the first mortgagees and their security. Yet this was proposed to be done by the Bill. He concluded by moving that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. The Hon. Colonel WHITMORE sympathised with the remarks of the hon. gentleman (Mr. Waterhouse), in that th“ 3rd clause appeared to perpetrate a fraud on the mortgagees. But he did not think that the Bill should be thrown out entirely. The question of the security for the money required should be left to the borrower and the lender. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN' said the Colonial Secretary had a clear view of the duties of local bodies, but he did not express those views as clearly as when he was. on the other side of the House. When tho Assembly authorised a -loan for municipal purposes by a special Act it was impoa-ible to take away by any form of words what had been called the undisclosed guarantee thus given to the operation. '1 he Municipal Corporations Act gave to the ratepayers al necessary power, and they should be left to exercise it. After some further discussion, the Bill passed its second reading, and the Council then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, August 22. The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS. Petitions were presented by Messrs. Russell, Wood, and Hodgldnson. NOTICES OF MOTION. Notices of motion were given by Messrs. Fox, Stevens, Turnbull, Driver, Hodgkinson, Bowen, Hobbs, Gisborne, Banff, and Rowe. REPORTS. Mr. CURTIS brought np the report of the Waste Lands Committee on the Milford Harbor Board Bill. The report was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. BRYCE brought up a report from the Native Affairs Committee, which was ordered to lie on the table, Mr. KELLY brought up several reports from the Public Petitions Committee, which were ordered to be referred to the Government. Mr. DE LAUTOUB brought np a report from the Goldfields Committee, which was ordered to lie on the table. PATERS. Papers were laid on the table by Sir George Grey, EMIGRATION FROM IBEEAND. . Mr. McMINN asked the Minister for Immigration,—Whether the Government will consent to re-establish an emigration agency for this colony in Ireland, in order that emigrants from that portion of the United Kingdom may be relieved from the necessity of submitting their applications for passages to the Edinburgh agency, as is required since the Belfast agency was abolished, and under which arrangement the emigration from the North of Ireland is confined to Otago, as stated in the Agent-General's letter of May 21, 1878 ? The Hon. Mr. S TOUT replied in the negative. The Belfast office was discontinued by order of tho late Government. It was a very expensive agency, and cost a‘-out £6 47 ayear, while the number of immigrants sent out was only 73, it was not correct that all the Irish immigrants were sent to (Hago. He found that according to its population more immigrants came to this colony from Ireland than from cither England <t Scotland. Last year the number of emigrants despatched from England was 25GQ ; from Ireland, 2300 ; and from Scotland, 600. COUNTY OF EDEN. Mr. TOLE asked the Government, —If they will cause steps to bo taken to have the (treat North Road, the New North Road, and the other main roads in the County of Eden, put and maintained in a state of repair ? The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN replied that the district referred to was one in which the Counties Act was not in full force. No more money could bo obtained for these roads except by vote of the House. INSPECTOR .JAMES. Mr. BARFF asked tho Government, —If they will lay before this House a copy of the annual report of Inspector James ? The Hon, Mr. SHEEHAN replied that copies of reports from all Police Inspectors would bo laid on the table as soon as they were obtained from the printer. CIVIE SERVICE ACTS. Mr, O’ROKKE asked tho Government,— Whether they will be able to lay before this House the return, ordered this session, showing tho operation of the existing Civil Service Acts, before tho House is asked to pass the Amendment Bill now under consideration ? He believed that if this information had been on the table much discussion would have been avoided. The Hon. Mr. BALLANCE replied that the return was in course of preparation, and weald bo ready by Tuesday next, RIVER SELWYN. Mr. WASON asked the Government, —If they will lay before this House a return showing the amount of grain delivered respectively at the grain sheds on the north and south bank of the Kiver Selwyn 1 , The Hon, Mr. STOUT replied that the Go.

vermnent had no objection whatever to lay this return ou the table. PUBLIC LIBRARIES. Mr. KELLY asked the Attorney-General. Whether tho distribution by Education Boards of a portion of the sura of £SOOO ap propriated for public libraries to libraries within boroughs not being free libraries, is in accordanc whh the provisions of the Public Libraries Subsidies Act, 1877 ? The Hon Mr. STOUT replied that according to lav.' it was correct to say that all libraries which had received a portion of the subsidy were free public libraries, where the public could have access to the books they contained, although these books could not bo taken out. Mr. WAKE FIELD would like to know from the Hon. the Attorney-General whether any libraries had received portions of tho sub- 1 aidy contrary to law. The Hon. Mr. STOUT replied tha- ho was not aware whether auy libraries had received grants contrary to law. LICENSING BILL. Mr. WAKEFIELD asked the Government, —When the Licensing Bill will be brought down, and whether they intend to make it a Government question ? The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN replied that he hoped to be able to introduce this Bill on Tuesday next. Of course he should be acting on behalf of the Government. It was not intended to make it a Government question, or one on which tho Government would go out, if defeated upon it. SEAT OP GOVERNMENT. Mr. BARTON asked the Premier,—l. Whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a measure for the creation of two large Provincial Governments, one in each island. The seat of Government for the South to be Christchurch ; for tho North, Auckland, The jurisdiction of these Governments to be so large that little or nothing will be left for the General Government to do. A PostmasterGeneral, perhaps a Commissioner of Customs, and half a dozen clerics a piece, to constitute tho General Government ; and onco in three years a General Assembly to meet ? 2. Whether the published statement iu tho Wellington Press, that Sir George Grey, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Sheehan, and Mr. Stout are all in favor of the scheme, has been authorised by the Government ? The hon. member said that the statements which had been published on the subject had created a considerable amount of uneasiness in business matters, and he hoped the Premier would give a full and unreserved reply to his questions. Sir GEORGE GREY: Sir, the Government have never taken this subject into consideration, and the Government have not authorised any of the statements that have been made on the subject. (Hear, hear.) MUNICIPALITIES. Mr. SHARP asked the Government, —If they will lay before this House the return of the number of officers employed by the various municipalities of the colony, tho amount of salary of each officer, aud the amount of travelling allowances, or other expenses, paid to such officers, as promised last session ? The Hon. Mr. BALLANCE: This return will be ready next day, or Tuesday at the latest. JUDGE THOMAS AND REWL The Hon Mr. SHEEHAN said he wished to say a word or two with regard to a question put to him on a former day by the hon. member for Wanganui. He (Mr. Sheehan) then stated that he would make inquiry as to the statement about Mr*. Thomas being subjected to the surveillance of the police. He did make inquiry, and had received the following reply ;—“ Waitara. August 21, 1878.—Acting Undersecretary for Defence, Wellington.— T have inquired into Mr. C. E. G. Thomas’ complaint. Sergeant Coffev went to Rewi's pa ou Saturday, having heard that a European in a white waterproof had just gone up to distribute seditious pamphlets. On finding out that it was Judge Thomas, and that Rewi

knew him. Sergeant Coffey took no further steps, not believing the report. He has not been watching Mr. Thomas at all.— Nepean Kknnv, sub-inspector.” The Hon. Mr. FOX said he believed these pamphlets had been distributed from patriotic motives only on the part of Judge Thomas. The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said no farther action would be taken in the matter. SCAB IN AUCKLAND. Mr, HAMLIN, without notice, asked what steps the Government have taken to prevent the spread of scab known to exist in the provincial district of Auckland for the past twelve months 1 The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said that if the hon. member put his question on the paper next day he would bo prepared to give him a satisfactory answer. NATIVE LANDS BILL. The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN moved for leave to bring in the Native Lands Bill. The motion was agreed to, the Bill brought in, read a first time, and the second reading fixed for Tuesday next. The Hon, Mr. SHEEHAN said he was not certain whether he should be able to proceed with the second reading on Tuesday next, owing to the great press of work on band, but he would endeavor to proceed with the second reading on Tuesday, if possible. HOKITIKA HARBOR BOARD DILL. Mr. BARFF moved the House into committee to consider of giving leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Hokitika Harbor Board Bill. The motion was agreed to. In committee, Mr. Barff moved that leave be given to bring in the Bill. Motion agreeed to, Bill brought in, reported to the House, read a first time, and the second reading fixed for Tuesday next. STORE DEPARTMENT. Mr. BOWEN moved, —That all papers connected with the abolition of the Store Department be laid before this House. The hon. member said he considered it was a very injudicious thing to abolish this department, as it had been the means of effecting a very considerable saving to the country. Prior to its establishment by the late Government, an the appointment of Colonel Gorton as inspector, iramen-e quantities of coal, firewood, iron, and other stores were stolen, and even special trains were run to carry the stolen property away.

Mr. P.ARFF, in seconding the motion, said lie thought it a most necessary thing that the country should be made acquainted with the working of this most useless and expensive department, which had only been the cause of destroying property. The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE expressed his belief that the creation of the Stores Depaitmont had been the means of saving a very considerable amount to the country. Mr. J. C. BROWN referred to the department as having been worse than useless, and said it had been instrumental in destroying rather than saving property belonging to the Government. ■ The Hon. Major ATKINSON believed that the department had been the means of saving tens of thousands of pounds, through the action of Colonel Gorton, the inspector appointed by the late Government. Mr! SHIUMtiKI thought the system of branding had been most destructive to property, and, amid considerable laughter, passed a ruler to the Government benches in support of his statement. Mr. REEVES said it was monstrous to hear an ex-Premier of the colony seriously stating that Colonel Gorton had been instrumental, as inspector of stores, in saving tons of thousands of pounds. The Hon. Major ATKINSON said if the hon. member doubted his statement ho could move for a committee of enquiry. The Hoa. Mr. STOUT said' the Stores Department had been done away with simply because the present Government thought it unnecessary, and that the head of each department should be held responsible for the stores of that department. After some further discussion, the motion was agreed to on the voices. NATIVES AT MAUI A. Mr. SUTTON moved, —That the papers laid before this House, having reference to the refusal of certain Natives at Mahia to allow the Resident Magistrate’s Court to inquire into a charge therein referred to, bo printed. The motion was agreed to. INFLUX OP CHINESE. Mr. REEVES moved,—That, taking into consideration the alarmingposition of the United States of America and the Australian colonies, through the large influx of Chinese, and the probable influx of Chinese into this colony, this House is of opinion that immediate legislation should take place to meet the circumstances of the case. The hon. member said the Government ought not to wait until the evil was done before they took action with regard to it. (Hear, hear.) This was a case in which the old adage of locking the door after the steed was stolen was very applicable. The hon. member stated that in San Francisco, through the influx of Chinese to that place, European labor had been completely paralysed, and the state of society had been reduced to anything but what it ought to bo. The evil was fast becoming ono of the greatest possible magnitude. Leaving San Francisco, he found that what was called the “yellow agony” bad os-

tended itself to the Hawaiian Island*, to which that most fearful of all diseases, leprosy, had introduced. It was well known that the Chinese never remained in a country after they had acquired a little wealth ; hut the King of tho Hawaiian Islands had issued an edict which prevented any Chinese leaving t ie islands if they had contracted marriage in place. Coming nearer home, tho Chinese question was becoming a source of great annoyance to tho Queensland Government, and New Zealand , was also threatened by an influx of these barbarous hordes. In Victoria, the Chinese were nothing more nor less than an ulcer on the stato of society; and he felt certain that unless some legislation was passed without delay tho same result would follow lu this colony. He hoped, therefore, that the Government would bring in a Bill on the subject j but if they did not do so, be would bring iu a Bill himself, so strongly did he feel ou the question of the necea-Jty of legislative action being taken. He should be in favor of the imposition of a poll tax. It would redound very much to tho credit of the Government if they brought in a Bill to prevent the influx of Chinese t-> this country. Mr. JOYCE said he had been opposed for the past twenty-five years to the influx of Chinese to the colonies. If tho treaty with England prevented tho colony refusing the Chinese a landing, that was one reason why they should cut the painter—(hear, hear)— because he thought their introduction to New Zealand had a tendency to lower the state of humanity that ought to prevail in the colony. He considered the Chinese a worn-out race altogether. Mr. J. C. BROWN considered that the Chinese should be made to pay proportionatelyto the benefits which they derived from New Zealand ; but he did not think there was reason for so much apprehension as had been expressed on the subject. It cost the Chinese a great deal more to get to New Zealand than to Queensland aud Victoria, and besides the climate of New Zealand was not suitable for them.

Mr. HOWE considered the motion on this subject altogether premature, and he would oppose it. He must confess that that during the present session he never seen a resolution brought forward with less reason than .that moved by the hon. member for Grey Valley. Mr. MANDEUS objected to inducements being hell out to the Chinese to c-une to New Zealand and take wealth out of the country., 'fhe Hon. Mr. STOUT said the question involved in the resolution of the hon. member for Grey Valley was a very large one, and one that cmiM not be dealt with, as he said on a former occasion, without reierenca to the Home country. There was not that urgency about the matter which the hon. member for Grey Valley endeavored to make out. Circumstances might arise which would render it necessary to restrict Chinese emigration to New Zealand, but the necessity had not yet arisen, and iu the meantime he thought they might watch the settlement of the difficulty in California before they rushed into legislation on the subject. Captain HUSSjELL thought that no harm would result from the introduction of a limited number of Chinese to the principal cities of the colony, to perform many household duties, for which they were well qualified It was a well known fact tb it the Chinese could live where Europeans would starve, and they were not that effete or objectionable race of people th it the hon. m mber tor Wallace said they were A Chinaman could do, on a oound of rice, what a European could only do on four pounds of meat. The Chinese, as the records »how, were a very peaceable class of people, and very few of them ha 1 been brought up on criminal charges iu proportion to population. He did not think any necessity had arisen for legislative action in this matter. Mr. PYCE considered the motion premature, ft appeared from the last census returns that the total number of Chinese in the whole colony was 32 ( '0. There was no reason for the Europeans to 'be afraid of so small a number. If they were afraid, then it said very little for the European population of Now Zealand. If the colony were threatened with being overrun by the Chinese, he would be one of the very first to come down and propose repressive measures. Tne Ohiae.se at present in the colony were a peaceable and law abiding class of people ; they were almost the only gardeners they had, and he did not think there was any necessity for interfering with them. If the influx of Chinese became so great as to interfere with European labor iu the manner it had been interfered with in other places, repressive measures could then. be taken, but at present the motion was premature.

Mr. BARFJF said the labor question was not the only one to be considered. Unless restrictions were placed on the Chinese, the moat loathsome of all diseases might be spread throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. The Hon. Mr. GISBORNE said ho did not consider immediate legislation necessary on this subject, and without meaning any discourtesy to the hon. member for Grey Valley, he bogged to move the previous question. Mr. REEVE => said his object had been served in drawing the attention of the Government to the subject, as it was his desire to prevent the difficulty before it occurred. He would, with the leave of the House, withdraw his motion. Mr. JOYCE, referring to the remarks of Captain Russell, said the hon. member assorted that the Chinese could do as much work on a pound of rice as a European could do on four pounds of meat; but he (Mr. Joyce) considered that it would take four Chinamen to do as much work as one European. Leave was given to withdraw the motion, and it was withdrawn accordingly. GOLDFIELDS COMMITTEE The debate was resumed on the question,— That it be an instruction to the Goldfields Committee to ascertain whether it is not practicable to amend the appendices and regulations of the Mines Act, 1877, and the Act itself, so far as regards the necessity of advertising claims for water-rights, leases, and other matters to the extent at present enforced by said Act 2. That it also be.an instruction to said committee to frame an abstract form of advertisement that shall be considered a sufficient “ public notice.” 3. That they bring up a report, in so far as they see fit, showing where it is desirable to amend the said Act, appendices, and regulations, so that they may work in greater harmony, one with the other. Mr. REEVE! moved the previous question. The discussion was again interrupted by the usual dinner adjournment. PARNELL RESERVE BILL. Mr. MOSS, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said it was unnecessary for him to again explain what were the objects of the Bill. The only alteration made was, that instead of vesting the wh- le of the land in the Mayor, Councilors, and burgesses of the borough of Parnell, only a small portion of it was conveyed to them as a site for a town hall, ar d the remainder was reserved fur tbo purposes of a public school. The motion for second reading was agreed to ; the Bill was read a second time and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. ' POSTPONEMENTS). The second reading of the Mining Companies Act, 1872, Amendment Bill was made an order of the day for Tuesday next ; and tho committal of the Disqualification Act Amendment Bill was postponed until Wednesday next. MILFORD HARBOR BOARD BILL. This Bill was considered in committee, and progress reported, with leave to sit again on Wednesday next. catlin’b river cemetery bill. This Bill was considered in committee, reported without amendment, read a third time and passed. WELLINGTON COLLEGE ACTS AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Mr. GI.SB iRNE, in moving the second reading of this Bill, explained that the first object of the Bill was to utilise a reserve already made for the establishment of a Girls’ High School; and its second object was to enable the Wellington College to utilise some reserves they held, to promote the objects for which the College itself was established. After some discussion tho debate was adjourned until Wednesday next, tho general feeling of hon. members being that they had not had sufficient time to look fully into the effect which tho Bill would have if passed. WAIMAKARIRI HAIIDOK ENDOWMENT BILL. On tho motion of Mr. Bowen, this Bill was read a second tirao and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. NAPIER HARBOR BOARD BILL. On the motion of Mr. Ormond, this Bill was road a second time and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. ELECTORAL BILL. The debate on tbo motion for the second reading of this Bill was resumed. Mr. SEATON said ho had unfortunately moved the adjournment of tho debate. He said unfortunately, because he had been ill ever since, and had not been able to give tho subject that amount of attention he should hav» desired. After reading the Bill ho must say that he did not think that a Government who could bring in such a Bill was worthy of the confidence of the House, and presently he would move that the Bill bo read a second

time thac day six month.-?. There w?is no doubt, however, that the Bill contained several impt'Ovein-Mits on the present P.yst.-in. The of these improvements wa-, that registration could take place all the year round, and the roll was revised twice a year. Another improvement was, that notice of objections w«ro given by menus t- f postal cards. But the imp'OvemeutH on the existing system which the Bill contained were more than counterbalanced by the objectionable nature of most of its provisions. It was exceedingly easy to put in “ bogus ’ claims, and to make plurality voting a matter of easy accomplishment by designing men. The provision in the Bill with regard to female suffrage ought also to be struck out. He did nob believe that the Bill would have the effect of bringing education to a higher level, as wan predicted by the hon. the Attorney-General; and he begged, for tho reasons he had stated, to move that the Bill be read a oecond time that day six months.

Hr. McLEAN said the speech of the hou. member who had just sat down showed the awkward position a Government was placed in when there was no Opposition. They hail looked all round and under the tables for an Opposition and failing to find an Opposition, the members on the Government aide of tho House set themselves to the work of abusing each other. He certainly was not prepared for the warmth with which the hon. member who had just sat down expressed his views on the subject, although he was not at all surprised to hear Government supporters express dissatisfaction with the measure now under consideration. With regard to that Bill, he did not think that it would have the effect of placing any more persons on the roll, because under the present law any person who desired to be on the electoral roll could get .upon it. The Bill, however, possessed a very commendable feature—that of consolidating the electoral law and bringing it entirely under one Act. The clause in the Act providing for females occupying a seat- in that House he -would certainly oppose to the utmost of his power, as he did not believe that that House was a proper place for women to sit in. (Hear, bear.) Ho trusted that daring the present session the .Government would bring in a Bill providing for a redistribution of seats. He thought the most opportune time for bringing forward such a measure was, the middle of the life of a Parliaraeut, rather than towards the close of its existence, because then every hon. member had, as it were, to fight for his own life. Tho Premier came down to th*House the v»bher night and made a great appeal to them to pass this Bill, which he said would confer a great chapter of rights on the people But when tho Premier found that his appeal went so flatly, he must have felt that he was no longer speaking to a theatre crowd who knew nothing about it, but to an assembly of men who knew that what he was saying was complete bunkum. (Loud laughter.) He would not detain the House at further length, because there would bo an opportunity of discussing the question in committee, and no doubt those portions of the Bill that were of an objectionable nature w-uild either bo amended or expunged altogether. He would support tho motion for the second reading. (Hear, hear.) * Mr. GIBBS said tho apathy that prevailed on the part of the public showed th T there was no necessity for extending the franchise. In fact, it was very difficult to induce some people to put their names on the roll. Even when people took the trouble to fill in the necessary forms, those who were most concerned would not take the trouble of signing tho claims to vote. They suppose! all sorts of things—either that those - who wished them to register their names did so in order that they might obtain their votes at an elec tion, or they thought that if their names were placed on the electoral roll farther taxes would be imposed upon them. ' He thought that in electing members to that House electors should have one vote only. He hoped the present system of public nominations would be continued. Ho agreed with the clause for closing pablic-hou-es on election days, and would yoj.e for the second reading of tho Bill, on the understanding that he would object in committee to such portions of the Bilf as he considered objectionable. ‘ Mr. TAIAROA objected to the IBth clause of the Bill. The Maoris and their members had met, and were agreed that they should have only one vote, and that they should have increased representation in the House. (Hear, hear.) He objected to women coming to chat House and making laws. (Hear, hear.) Let their power be confined to electing men to come there to represent them.- He did not think lion, members would care to have women sitting beside them and talking to them in that House. Supposing a woman came there and left her husband at home, she would in all probability lead the thoughts of the two gentlemen between whom she sat astray. (Laughter.)

Mr. MONTGOMERY considered that the question now under consideration could not have come before the House at a more opportune time. Generally speaking, the Government measure had been received in a fair spirit, but he did not think the speech of the hon, member for Egmont with regard to the Premier was made in a fair spirit. He would not defend the Premier, because that hon. gentleman was able to defend himself; but this he would say, that he considered the Premier had dune an incalculable service to the people of the colony —he had led them to think. (Hear, hear.) Much thought was not required on the part* of the Conservatives, amongst whom ho would name the hon. member for Egmont The creed of the C mservativea could be summed up in two words—“resist encroachments.” But it was different with those ' who desired to see the franchise extended as far as it was possible to extend it. (Hear, hear.) The Government measure proposed a qualification of two years’ residence in the colony. Now this he considered too long by one-half, and he hoped to see the Bill amended to make it a twelvemonth’s residential qualification. He believed also in a property qualification, but he did not think that because a man had property all over the colony he should therefore have ten times the number of votes that other men of equal ability, and having as great an interest in the good government of the colony, possessed. Ho thought, therefore, that no man should have more than one vote. The right to vote should be grounded more on citizenship than property. . (Hear, hoar.) With regard to Maori representation, he thought the Maoris should have representatives in proportion to population, ju-fc the same as in the. case of Europeans; but ho objected to their being allowed to vote for the return of European members, and at the same time to have a system of special representation for themselves. Bet them have one thing or the other, but not the privilege of dual voting which they now possessed. (Hear, hear.) .He considered that all representation should be fixed on the basis of population. It was very absurd, in his opinion, to draw distinctions between towns and country dist icts. The country was dependant on the t uvns tor its cash, and the towns on the country for the produce for which that cash was paid to the country. Ho considered that if this Electoral Bill became law a dissolution would become necessary. The Premier had told the House —and he had no doubt th it hon. member was correct in his figures—that if the present Electoral Bill became law, it would have the effect of placing 70,000 more persons on the electoral roll of the colony. Supposing it placed 50,000 or 60.000 more on the roll, that would be just double the present number ; and could they go on without a dissolution, and deny these 50,000 or 60,000 the opportunity of exercising their privilege for two or three years ? Ho thought, therefore, that a Bill providing for the redistribution of seats was also necessary this session. (Hoar,-hear.) He trusted that both sides of the House would combine to make this Electoral Bill such an one as would be satisfactory to the people, and render any change unnecessary for many years to come. It was with this object in view that he supported the motion for second reading. (Cheers.) Mr. CARRINGTON expressed his intention to support the Bill, with some necessary amendments in committee. Mr. PYKE said the sooner they eliminated the word “ Maori" from their Acts the better would it be for both races. A great deal had been said about female suffrage. ’He was entirely opposed to such a proposal, as ho believed it would be a dire calamity to the human race if women wore allowed to part in politjpal affairs. He could uotconceive any greater source of dissension in households than an extension of political privileges to women would create. Ho did not for one moment believo that the women of New Zealand desired to have any such privileges extended to them ; ho gave them credit for better taste, and for greater good sense, than to caro to take a prominent part in political matters. He was sorry this Bill did not go to the heart of the matter ! that the Government did not come down and say. “ We will give a vote to every adult male in the colony. ’ ( H ear, bear.) He hoped the Government would not consider him too severe when he said lie thought this Bill brought in by the Government was a half-lioartod measure. Perhaps they had

gone as far as they felfc they could go, b ut he shoul< 1 have liked to see a vote given to every adult male iu the country. He was sorry to hear the hon. member for Akavoa advocate such an outrageous absurdity as representation according to population. If this principle were admitted at Home, London would send more representatives to Parliament than the whole of Scotland. The mo*t advanced Liberals admitted that it was the democracy of the towns which was most to be feared. If the democracy of the towns were allowed to have full sway, the result would be that the constitutional coach would be upset. He hoped that the Parliament of New Zealand would never pas* such an outrageous measure as would provide for representation on the basis of population. Before concluding he must say that be had never seen amoreungramiuaticalßill before the House. Negatives were used for and vice versa ; and if the person who drafted the Bill was still in the employment of the Government he would advise them to gefc rid of him at once. Mr. STEVENS said he did not agree with those hon. members who characterised this Bill as a large measure of reform. So far as his opinion wont, he was in favor of the franchise being extended to every person who had a permanent stake in the country. Objection had been taken to a dual system of voting, but in his opinion this was necessary to the maintenance of that feeling of sympathy which ought to exist between the country and the towns, whose interests were identical. He considered that there was more liberalism in the proposal to extend the hours of voting than was contained in the whole of the Bill, because working men and others would be able to record their votes without neglecting their work, and suffering a Joss thereby. There was a great deal of liberalism and wisdom in this provision, and he begged to thank the Government for it. He objected to the proposed extension of political privileges to women, which was quite impracticable, and surrounded with numerous inconveniences, which he would not refer to at that late hour of the night. He wou’d vote for the second reading of the Bill, and he hoped that when it came out of committee it would be found to he such a satisfactory measure as would render any further electoral reform unnecessary for many years to come. (Hear, hear, and cries of question.) Mr. TAWITI advocated increased Maori representation, each race being confined to voting for the return of their respective roore* sentatives. He agreed with the statements made bv the hon. member for the Southern Maori District (Mr. Taiaroa). Mr. MtJRBAV here moved the adjournment of the debate. (Cries of No, no.) The motion for adjournment was carried on the voices, and the debate was adjourned until next day. The House then adjourned.