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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3374, 15 October 1879, Page 2

In order lltat some idea may be formed of the nature of the legislation proposed by the present Gorerntnent we give the main features of each of the Bills to be introduced. The Public Revenues Account Amendment Bill authorises the raising of an additional £200,000, by means of deficiency bills, in addiiion to the £400,000 authorised by ISth section of the Act of 1878, but the additional sum must bo raised during the present session of Parliament. The Electoral Act ttepeals BUI repeals sections 5 to 29, inclusiTe,>nd

sections 31, 41, 42, 49, and 50 of the Constitution. Act, nrni all electoral Acts of the (he Assembly having existing rolls and not including any disqualification Acts. The Qualification of Electors' Bill Rm;s the frauchiso to every male of 21 years of age, possessing a freehold worth £25 for G mouths, and to everyone resident one year in the colony, and 0 months in the district ho claims to vote for. No aboriginal natives are to be eligible for registration under this Bill, nor are aliens, or persons convicted of treason, felony, or any infamous offence, unless they have received free pardons ; miners' rights, however, are to continue in force till now rolls are formed. The Registration of Electors Bill authorises the appointment of Registrars who are to make up, as complete rolls as pos.ible, and three months' notice of all names must be given before they are placed on the roll. Persons may also prefer claims, and if the Registrar is satisfied that the particulars are true he may add the person's name in fifteen days ; but if he-believes the particulars are untrue and the claim to voto is not withdrawn, the Registrar may issue a summons requiring the claimant to prove his claim before the Resident Magistrate. Objections are to be similarly heard, and the rolls are from time to time to be reprinted. The Elections Petitions Bill provides for the trial of election petitions before the Supreme Court. The Maori Representation Bill gives a native franchise to every male aboriginal native of 24 years of age, and not convicted of treason, felony, or any infamous offence, but only Maories may be elected representatives. The number or Maori members is to bear to the entire number of members of the House of Representatives, exclusive of the Maori members, the same proportion as the number of registered Maori electors shall bear to the number of registered European electors on the Electoral Rolls of tho colony. The Governor is to appoint the persona to make up the proper rolls of the Maori voters throughout the colony, and these rolls are to be sent into the RegistrarGeneral who, with the assistance of persons to be appointed by the Governor, is to divide the colony into suitable Maori electoral districts —each to return one member, and the elections are to be conducted under a warrant from the Governor.