PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 734, 16 August 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington", August 15. Th the House of Representatives lust nifht, after th« conclusion of Mr W hi taker's. speech. Mr St<>nt fc illo'.ved. onljnoticing sue): points nf tlio Bills as he would not lie c:illed upon to deal with when lvplviny to the arguments brought against his own Bill. While giving credit to Mr Whitaker for the pains he had taken in pointing out his Bill, he must hold that it whs quite inapplicable to the Colony, and utterly unworkable as a system. It placed too large powers in the hands of the Government, and it could not possibly effect what it proposed to efleci, namely, the representation of minority ; in fact, lie held that no system of representation that could be devised would do it—besides, minority representation could not benefit the Colony. The only result would be the formation of a number of cliques, a thing which the House should carefully guard against. Mr. Barton declared in a speech of about two hours, devoted to a hostile criticism of the Bill and most of its details, that he saw nothing in it but an insidious measure by which to alienate support from the present Ministry with the view of driving them off the benches, so that a Government might occupy them who did represent a majority of the people. It was nothing but an amendment to wheedle the House into passing a law which was made in

favor of the rich as against the poor. The two most dangerous classes' in the Colony were the high class, which was constantly looking after its own interests, and. the ' low class, which did not know how to look after their own interest. He protested against lowering the franchise on the ground that it would produce the same pernicious effects as had resulted from the plebiscites,in France, and in the occurrences that agitated ancient Rome. He strongly objected to the large discretionary powers placed in the hands of ■judges and returning officers and other servants of the public, who thus become irresponsible and virtually exercised control over the House itself. The Iron, gentleman became very pointed in his references to the irresponsible power of judges and returning officers. All through the Bill he saw the dangerous bias of that party so anxious to get into power, and whose political principles were so antagonistic to the welfare of the people. Mr. Wakefield said lie had listened to the speech of the hon. membrr for threequarters of an hour and had not heard anything but the most shadowy kind of objections to the Bill brought down by the hon. member. With very bad grace he had made serious imputations against judges and registration officers —imputations that ought never to have been made, and which the Government ought not to have listened to. He did not think it was a speech which reflected credit either on the House or on the hon. member for Wellington. They did not wish to have election tights brought up in that House when those referred to were not in a position to defend themselves, and when the minds of members were engaged with other subjects. Let those matters be brought forward at a proper time and in the proper place. He would vote for the Government measure when the proper lime arrived in the hope that when in Committee such amendments would be made as would result in a satisfactory measure becoming the law of the country. On the motion of Mr. Joyce the debate was adjourned till Wednesday next, and the House rose at 12.25.

August 16. Ta the House of Representatives yes- ■ ril ay, In reply to Mr. Manders, Mr. Macandrew said some railway officials were allowed the usual holidays, while others, such as engine-drivers, were not allowed any, but were paid overtime instead, and the Government did not intend to change the system. In reply to Mr. Ormond, Mr. Macaudrew said a return would be prepared showing the contracts for public works in which penalties had been enforced since the commencement of the public works policy, together with a return of contracts on which penalties occurred, but were not enforced. Mr. Ormond asked if the Government would extend the operation of clause 59 of the Land Act, 1577, which gives onethird of the price of blocks of land purchased on deferred payments for roads within such districts, to the case of blocks taken upon deferred payments prior to the passing of that Act, but for which payment has been made since the passing, or has yet to bo made. Mr. Stout said the Act was not retrospective, and they did not intend to make it so. They must draw the line somewhere. Mr. Ormond asked if the Government would amend the present Act, so as to ■ ■liable associations to take up blocks of !an-l on the deferred payment system. Mr. Stout said those interested in the mafrer should apply to the Government. No application of the kind had yet been made to them. In reply to Mr. Fox, Mr. B'dhmce said a report would shortly be laid on the table upon the question of charitable relief, and systems adopted in other countries and colonies. Mr. Woolcock moved—" That in the opinion of this House the Government should this session bring iu a Bill dealing with the question of payment of members." The motion was lost, Mr. Muss moved —"That an address should be presented to His Excellency to place a sum upon the estimates to encourage the production of wattle bark in the colony." Agreed to. Mr. Bastings moved— *' That in the opinion of the House the Government should cause a geological survey of New Zealand, and a geological map of the same be prepared."

The motion was agreed to. In reply so Sir Robert Dougias, the Government promised to furnish returns showing all sums paid as commission on the purchase or sale of any property on behalf of the Government for the past financial -wid to whoiji. and whether .! ;- 1: i >'ii the result uf tender or pri- .. .; arrangement. Tile interrupted debate on Mr Fox's motion for a return regarding Government advertisements was resumed, and Mr Fox having replied, the motion was agreed to. "Mr. Holiest on moved—"That the House is of opinion that the time has arrived when the Colonial Government should establish an asylum for the deaf and dumb in the colony."

After a little discussion the motion was agreed to.

At the evening sitting, Mr. George moved the second reading of the Gold Duty Abolition Bill. A long debate took place, after which the Bill was thrown out by 35 to 34. The adjourned debate on the removal of the electoral disabilities of women was continued. Mr Feldwiclc moved the previous question.

The Speaker then put to the House, " The question is that the question be now put," the result being—Noes, 44 ; ayes, 8. The debate was thus stooped, and the question shelvedThe principal business done afterwards was in Committee, when the following Bills were read a third time and passed : —Oamaru Waterworks Bill, Land Claims Initial Settlement Bill, Nelson Harbor Bill, Disqualification Bill, Southland Boy's and Girl's High-school Bill, Interpretion Bill, High-school Act Amendment Bill, Waitaki High-school Bill, and Ellesmere Reclamation Bill. The Catlin's River Bill was read a second time. The House adjourned at one o'clock. August 15. In the Legislative Council to-day, on the motion of Dr. Pollen, Colonel Whitmore promised to allow all despatches

from the Secretary of State, of public interest, to be laid 011 the table. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Hall, returns of lands required by the Government, and of land and goldstield revenue, were ordered to be printed. The Reprint of Statutes Bill was read a third time.

Tho Literary Institutions and Public Libraries Bili was considered in Committee and adjourned till to-morrow.