PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2587, 6 July 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, July 4. CHINESE IMMIGRATION BILL. The Chinese Immigration Bill was passed through Committee without amendment, read a third time, and passed. Dr Pollen moved an amendment that the Bill should only become operative when the Chinese number two per cent of the European population, but tne amendment was negatived by 14 to 7. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FIRST BEADING, Mr Turnbull introduced the Timaru Harbor Board Endowment Bill, it was read a first time. CORRUPT PRACTICES PREVENTION DILL. Mr Johnston moved the second reading of the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill. He explained its provision, and pointed out the particular clause upon which it varied from measures of the same nature introduced in previous sessions. A. clause was in course of preparation, based on the English Bill, prohibiting any expenditure at all unless it passed through the hands, and was spent at the discretion of an officer specially appointed by Government for that purpose. Other clauses from the English Act would also be introduced. The Bill was read a second time, and will be considered in Committee on Friday. REGULATIONS OF ELECTIONS BILL. The Regulations of Elcctions_ Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 58—Mr George moved—- “ That a sub-section be inserted providing that a member joining the Ministry during the currency of Parliament should return for re-election to his constituency before taking his seat on the Government Benches; this however not to apply to the formation of a new Ministry.” Mr Johnston said Government could

not accept the amendment. The subject had been frequently discussed in that House.

Mr Wood supported the amendment. If it wore applied also to a new Ministry, it would put an end to all insinuations as to motives of corruption, inasmuch as that the members so elected to form the Ministry would hold office at the hands of their constituents, and not at those of the Government.

Mr Collins opposed the amendment, on the ground that a provision of the .kind bad not been asked for by the country. It would bo derogatory to the position of a representative to contend that he should ask the opinion of his constituents in a matter of this kind. Their duty to their country clearly overshadowed their duty in a matter of this sort to their constituents.

Mr Weston opposed the amendment. With Triennial Parliaments it would be wrong to do anything that would necessitate elections being held more frequently than those provided for by law.

Mr Hall said that a stranger unacquainted with the character ot the New Zealand Legislature would form a very low opinion of its moral calibre, and he demurred to the inference that a constituency had a right to say whether a man was to take office as a Minister or not. It was the Government who had a right to decide upon that question. Again, it would deter good men from entering the House, inasmuch as it would subject them to the possibility of more expense in standing for re-election than they were at present subjected to. He hoped the House would not entertain the motion.

Mr Levestam also opposed the motion. It was not asked for by the country, and he felt convinced that members would not sell themselves, as was implied, to the highest bidder. The amendment, moved by Mr George, was lost by 36 votes to 14. The Bill and the schedules were put and carried, and the Bill reported as amended. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Mr Hall explained that the Treasurer had not been able to get his Statement prepared so as to deliver it that night, as originally proposed. He hoped to do so to morrow night. The House adjourned at 9.25 p.m.