REPRESENTATION BILL. CONSIDERATION IN CABINET. THE COUNTRY QUOTA.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 385, 17 July 1889, Page 5

RE PRESENTATION BILL. CONSIDERATION IN CABINET. THE COUNTRY QUOTA.

Wellington, July 15. Ministers were in Cabinet until late on Saturday evening when they had. under consideration the quota question. They have as I intimated beiore decided that the new Representation Bill will provide for an increase of the quota fiorn 18 to 25 per cent, but now they will not make it a minis,j terial question leaving it unreservedly for the House's decision. It is expected thab when the Bill itj in committee some private member will propose an amalgamation of the city electorates, for as yet the Government have made no provision for this, but may do so before the Bill comes down. Afc any rate, they will accept such a proposal if made in committee. The country members persist in their intention of accepting nobhing but 33i per cent, and the town members are as equally determined to oppose ie and will use all forms in the House to stonewall it in the hopes of compelling the country party to accept a compromise; so troublesome times are before the House. When Parliament first met there was every indication of a ahorb session, bub there is now libble hope of a prorogation before the end of Augu&b. Strong opposition will be oQered to the Otago Central andPropertyTaxAssessmenb Bills which are sure to provoke long debates — in course of which the desirability of effecting a change in the incidence ot taxation will be raised. We have yet to have a discussion upon the financial proposals of the Government and to finish the estimates over which, from all accounts, there is still trouble brewing. Besides we have the Corrupt Practices and Registration of Electors Bills and several minor measures to consider so even if the Charitable Bill is dropped by the Government there will be work sufficient to keep the House engaged for several weeks.