Parliamentary.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 971, 20 August 1881, Page 3

Parliamentary.

[from our own correspondent]. Wellington, August 18. Sir George Grey’s Law Practitioners Bill was thrown out in the Legislative Council, on the second reading, by a large majority. The debate in the House on the Redistribution of Seats Bill, which was closed on Wednesday, was re-opened yesterday afternoon on the question for going into committee. It was raised by the following amendment by Wood, notice of which was given on the previous day : —“ 1. That in the opinion of this House the basis of representation should be, as nearly as may be practicable, population. 2. That the estimate of population for the purpose of representation should consist of Europeans and Maoris combined, and that the Maori Representation Act, 1867, with continuing Acts, should be repealed.” Before the debate commenced, Messrs. Murray, Gisborne, and Bastings, gave notice of additions to the above. Mr Wood made observations on the first part of the amendment ; he considered sufficient had already been said upon it, but upon the second part he spoke at considerable length. If the resolution was carried it would, he believed, nearly double Native representation. Mr. Swanson stated that the Native members, at a meeting held by them, had decided to stick to their special representation, but he would be glad to see them relinquish this and agree to be treated the same as Europeans. Taiaoa, while agreeing that the time had come when special representation should be abolished, would like to see the amendment postponed till next session. Te Wheoro thought that Native representation should remain as it is for the present. He appeared to be afraid that if the motion was carried Maoris would ultimately be excluded from seats in the House. In the evening the Premier was the first to speak. He trusted the House would not agree to the amendment; he denied that there was or could be one law at present for both races, and said when the time came for that he would agree to a resolution such as that proposed by Wood. The Maories had necessarily to be treated in an exceptional manner. In many respects it was not desirable for Natives, nor just to Europeans, that the former should be put upon the same footing as the latter in regard to representation ■ if they were they would, probably, lose their power in the House, and it would go into the hands of the worst class of Europeans. It was decidedly the wish of the Natives-to retain their present mode of representation. He declared to God that when the time came for an increase of members in the North Island no one would be more ready to acquiesce in it than himself.

Tomoana held the same views as the other Maori members. Mr. Gisborne, after saying that the speech of the Premier was apologetic in its nature, went bn to repeat the argument that he had used on the second reading of the Bill. When the proper time eame he would, he said, move an addition to the first clause of Wood’s amendment to this effect: “ Provided that the present number of representatives returned by any provincial district shall not be reduced.” As to the second clause he was not prepared to assent to it unreservedly, as it involved momentous considerations with regard to the constitution of the country. Mr. Moss also repeated his arguments in favor of including Maoris in general population basis. Mr. Lundon looked upon the speech of the Premier as a sham, and expressed his belief that the Native members had been tampered with.

Sir George Grey rose apparently for the express purpose of taking off the Premier’s speech. He said the Premier, in order to induce the House to believe him, first spoke with infantile simplicity and innocence, and when that did not have the desired effect, swore a great oath, but that had no effect. He compared the attitude of the Premier to that of Mercury when accused by Apollo of stealing his cows. Mercury affected innocence, and said, “ I swear a great oath by my father’s head that I stole not your cows ■ that I know of no one else who might, or could, or did. Whatever things cows are, I do not know, for I have only heard the name.” Well, the Premier said, “ I swear a great oath by my father’s head that I stole not your votes, and that I know of no one else who might, or could, or did. Whatever things votes are I do not know, for I have only heard the name.” This said, he winked as fast as fast as could be, and his brow was wrinkled, and a whistle loud gave he, like one who hears some strange absurdity. The manner in which Sir George delivered this little satire could not be easily described ; but its effect was irresistible. Dr. Wallis objected to making Maoris a stalking horse to increase the representation of the North Island, and intended to vote against the amendment of Wood. Mr. Sheehan held that population should be th efirst consideration, but area should also be taken into consideration. He spoke at some length in favor of placing the Maoris in the same position as Europeans. It appeared to him clear that the amendment would not pass, but felt assured that the House would be doing a wise and gracious act to agree to it, and give additional representation if the Maoris would abandon special representation. At 1.20 a.m. a division was taken on the question for going into committee, and it was carried by 40 to 19. Mr. Macandretv gave notice of a motion, in the House to-day, to divide the colony into two distinct provinces, each with a legislature of its own, comprised of members of the House of Representatives for each Island elected during the General election ; such legislature to elect a president to be chiyf executive officer; each legislature to have full power to

provide for the peace and good government of, and to legislate on all but twelve prescribed subjects and the present Assembly to continue on for the whole Colony, and to deal with those subjects of raising loans &c., waste lands of each Island to be invested in the local legislature. A Bill is to be introduced within one week after the sitting of next Session, giving effect to the above. Mr. Dick’s Dog Registration Amendment Bill provided that the local authorities may fix the registration fees, such fee to be not less than ss, or more than 10s at their discretion. In committee on this, W. Kelly is to move that sheep and cattle dogs, not exceeding two in number for each owner, shall be exempt from the fee. Friday, 9 p.m. The business of the House yesterday, was exceedingly dull; it being confined to members private business. Mr. Macandrew does not expect to carry his separation resolutions, but puts them forward as his political platform for the pending elections. The business this evening in the House will be wholly occupied in debating the report of the select committee re the New Plymouth Harbor. The insertion of the following new clause in the Representation Bill is to be moved by Mr. Sheehan in committee. Every man of the age of 21 years and upwards having a leasehold estate in possession situate within any electoral district constituted under this Act, of a clear annual value of £lO, held upon a lease which at the time of registration shall have not less than 3 years to run, or having a leasehold so situate, or of such value aforesaid of which he has been in possession of for 3 years, or upwards, at the time such shall be entitled to be registered under the Registration of Electors Act 1870, and should be allowed to vote at elections of Members for the House of Representatives, and this clause shall be read as a part of the qualification of the Electors Act of 1877. The Colonial Treasurer yestesday drew the attention of the House to the fact that his remarks at the close of the no-confidence debate had been omitted from Hansard. He had not seen a proof, and was not aware till his attention was drawn to a paragraph in a local paper of the omission. He requested the Speaker to inform him what steps he ought to take in the matter. The Speaker said that Major Atkinson should communicate with the Reporting Debates Committee in the Legislative Council. Mr. Waterhouse asked what the Government would do with reference to making decamping husbands support their wives and families.' He said the question was a most pressing one. The numbers of husbands who ran away to other Colonies was very large. In Wellington alone there were 28 deserted wives with 74 children. The Attorney-General said the Colonies could not legislate for the extradition of such deserters. A Bill on the subject was now before the Imperial Parliament, though it was doubtful if it would be passed this year.