THE REPRESENTATION BILL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 383, 10 July 1889, Page 4

THE REPRESENTATION BILL.

The Hon. Mr Hislop moved the second reading of the Bill on Thmsday, when he wont over its provisions and explained its workings to the House ; bub as theso have already been dotailed to readers of the Stai*, there is no necessity for their recapitulation now. In opening up the matter, the hon. gentleman said that even if the Bill did nob pass into ouo statute books this session, yet before long it would become law, a declaration that drew forth expressions of dissent from members of the House, as it was understood that the Bill was not to be gone on with. The House received the explanation of the speaker in rather a playful mannei, and membors earnestly disclaimed any intention of discouraging Mr Hislop. Ironical "Hear, hears," jocular remarke, and feeble attempts at wit dropped from hon. membeis at intervals, making breaks that must have been refreshing, nob only to members themselves, but to the occupants of the galleiies, tor the Hon. Mr Hislop is not a p-ood speaker, and his explanation of the Bill was at best a dreary performance, the close of which was greeted with some applause. It was a very unsympathetic House that he had to address. He was followed by the leader of the Opposition, who set himself to comb the arguments of the Colonial Secretary, and it wa& very evident that his opinions, which were condemnatoiy of the Hare system, had greater favour with the House than those of the Hon. j\lr Hislop. Mr O'Connor (Buller) regretted that while thanking the Colonial Secietary for the temperate way he had brought forward the Bill, it was not the Bill of last pe&sion the Government had laid bcfoie the Mouse. He twitted those who did not understand the principles of the Hare system. He advocated smaller districts while defending the Hare system. Mr W. P. Keeves at some length explained his view of the demerits of the system. He dealt with the lcduction ol rnembeis, which he did not agree with. Mr Verrall advocated a State Bank. Mr Pioh moved as an amendment, " That the Bill be read a second time this day six months." Mr Fisher seconded. Sir H. A. Atkinson moved, "That the debate bo nuw adjourned." Mr Ballance seconded, and the debate was adjourned until Tuesday.