GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1920, 23 July 1889, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE-COUNCIL. , On Friday, Mr Fraser presented a petition against the sale of liquors at Dunedin Exhibition. The 1 Marriage Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Dunedin Exhibition Public Street Closing and Licensing Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Standing Orders Committee. The Share Register Inspection Bill, and The Natives Meetings Bill was read a second time.

HOULE OP REPRESENTATIVES. On Friday, Mr Barron gave notice to move, on the motion for the second reading of the Representation Bill, that Parliament, having already an Act reducing the number of members subject to the existing quota, it is undesirable to disturb the decision then arrived at without further reference to the constituencies. Replying to questions Ministers said that the lease of runs 28 and 28a, Otekaike, was completed on the 23rd June,, and the license bad been issued because Government had not power to interfere after the sale had taken place, Mr Duncan moved the adjournment of the House, re correspondence, i to show that the settlers in the district desired these runs to be thrown open for settlement, whereas they had been sold on lease for 21 years. The Minister for Lands said that it had been decided to withdraw the runs from sale, but that a mistake had been made in sending a telegram to the auctioneer. A very lengthy discussion ensued, and ultimately the motion was negatived. Replying to further questions Ministers said that Government were in communication with the Australian colonies and. Canada on the subject of a reciprocal tariff. The Premier moved that the House at rising adjourn till 7.30 on Monday for Government business. —Carried by 52 to 29. The debate on the Representation Bill was then resumed. Mr Allan protested against the Bill passing. The Bill was being sprung on the House as a surprise Bill. It was framed in a deceptive shape, as nominally proposed it proposed a 25 percent, deduction, as compared with the present system, 33i per cent. The new Bill would workmost unfairly to the cities of the colony. It was absolutely unjust to deprive the city electors of their rights in the manner proposed, by mere brute force. As to the provisions for the amalgamation of city electorates, he thought a good deal was to be said in favour of the proposal. The Bill was an absolutely Conservative measure,[and would, crush out all Liberal and Democratic feelings The Premier combatted Mr Allan’s assertion that Liberalism was only to be found in the towns. In his opinion it was to be found in the country. There was no new principal involved in the proposal which was practically a return to the system of 1881. The action of the Government was reasonable, and he believed that the electors approved of the Bill. He hoped that the Bill would be read a second time now. The House could then go into committee next week on the Bill, and endeavour, if possible, to arrive at a fair compromise on this great question Mr Jones and Mr Izard opposed the Bill, and the debate was adjourned.