PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2624, 18 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEG ISL AT IV E COUNCIL. Wellington, Aug. 17. Replying to Mr Reynolds, Mr Whitaker said lie would submit to Government the question of appointing unpaid Boards as a medium between employers and the unemployed. LAW I 1 RACTITiONEI!s’ DILL. Mr Scotland moved (ho second reading of the Law Practitioners’ Bill. Mr Whitaker, in a long speech, while admitting the present system was open to amendment, moved the throwing out of the measure, which would result prejudicially to the community. Dr Wilson supported the Bill, though he ,wou’d require it in Committee to be so'altered that only one branch of the profession (barristers) would come under the Bill.

Mr Reynolds supported the Bill. Mr Hart pointed out that in England it had been found necessary to make the process of admission to the Bar more stringent than formerly'. Mr Waterhouse supported the Bill, subject to and contended that it would result in benefit to both the profession and the public. He stated that Mr Travers, who recently condemned rascally bills of costs, approved of the general principles of the measure.

Captain Fraser and Dr Grace opposed the Billon the ground that the lawyers’ monopoly was a most useful one to the State.

At 5 p.m. the debate was adjourned till 7.30 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. Messrs P. Buckley, G. Johnstone, Acland, Williamson, Peacock, Colonel Brett, and Dr Pollen spoke against the Bin. Mr Wilson mentioned that the Chief Justice - approved of the principle, provided there was a high examination. Mr Scotland replied, and the Bill was thrown out by 20 to 0. roit Dignan Scotland Lahmatm Waterhouse Martin Wilson AGAINST. Acland Menzies Baillie Miller Brett Nurse Buckley', G-- Peacock Chamberlain Peter Fraser Pollen Grace Eobinson Hurst Whitaker Johnston, G. Wigley Mantell Williamson. DIDLIS IN’ SCHOOLS DILL. The -Bible in-Schools Bill was passed through Committee with an amendment that no teacher should be compulsorily present wdiilc the Bible is read,. The Council rose at 10 p.m.

HOUSE OF KEPIIESENTATIVES. EEPHESENTATION. On the motion of going into Committee on the [Representation Bill, Mr Wood moved as an amendment—“ (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 ot representation should consist of Europeans and Maoris combined, and that the Maori [Representation Act, 18G7, with the continuing Act should be repealed.’’ The object of the second resolution was to do

away with the special representation and to place natives on a fooling of equality with Europeans. There wen? at present 40,000 of native population, and if they went as he proposed, instead of four they would have at least six members in the House, and to a very great extent there would he at least other two members identified with the na'ive interest.

Mr Swanson agreed in the opinion that the proposal for equal electoral rights to both races was the right one, and he could not see on what ground the claim could be resisted.

Mr Taiaroa suggested that the point should be allowed to stand over till next session, and in the meantime they would have an opportunity for circulating and explaining the proposal for the information and guidance of native opinion. Major To Wheoro suggested that the experiment should be made of continuing the special representation, and tlie representation proposed by the amend ment printed, so as to enable the natives to understand the exact hearing of the proposed change. Unless that was done he would vote against any attempt to disturb existing arrangements. Mr Hall trusted they would not adopt the amendment, The lirst clause was very vague. When the time came that there would be one law for both races lie would gladly second the motion for giving the Maoris increased representation.

Mr Tomonno urged the importance of delaying the question till next session so as to enable the native population acquaint, themselves with the nature of the proposals made. Mr Gisborne could only account for the comparative silence of observed by Ministers on the subject, on the assumption that they were ill at case in respect of the step they proposed. He gathered from the Maori members that they themselves were not well disposed towards the change, and that would weigh with him. The Bill generally was likely to produce dangerous revolutionaiy changes. Mr Moss said that out of 42,000 natives, there was not more than 10,000 amongst whom the Queen’s writ did not reach. The Maoris would be enabled to make themselves more fairly felt under the ordinary representation, than they can possibly succeed in doing under the special representation system. Mr Andrews thought it was time the special representation was done away will). lie would vote for the amendment.

Sir George Grey contended, in opposition to (ho Premier, that representation should precede the payment of taxes. He had no intention of impugning the sense of justice which actuated the South Island, still he protested against the inequality of representation of the North.

Dr Wallis objected to making the Maoris a stalking horse for the increase of the North Island representation. The Maori members were the best judges of what would be best for them, and they bad said they did not wish the change. Ho would vote against the amendment.

Mr Sheehan deprecated the adverse critism passed upon the Maori members alleging that in the four members of the House they had men who could equal any men or set of men in Parliament.

Mr Turnbull denied that so much profit had been made b} r the State out of the purchase of Maori lands. It had been a positive loss instead of having been a gain. He argued that the natives were perfectly rigid not to give up the special representation for what was a mere shadow. He would vote against the amendment.

At 1.10 a.in. Mr Weston moved the adjournment, which was opposed by Major Atkinson, and lost on the voices. The original motion for going into Committee was then put and carried by 40 to 19. The House rose at 1.10 a.m.