HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3395, 8 November 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.40. p.m. PRIMITIVE METHODIST AFFAIRS BILL. The Primitive Methodist Affairs Bill was read a third time and passed. RAILWAY CARS. Mr Pvke gave notice that ho would ask whether it was true that certain cars imported from America could not pass through the railway tunnel between Christchurch and Dunedin. E. B. WORGAN AGAIN. The Speaker stated that arrangements had been made for bringing the prisoner Worgan from Wanganui to bo examined by the Native Affairs Committee. HABITUAL DHUIjKARDS. [Replying to Mr Dick, Mr Hall said Government desired to have further information on the subject before bringing in a Bill for dealing with habitual drunkards. ITEWSIARKET RAILWAY WORKSHOPS. Replying to Mr Tole, Mr Oliver said Government had not accepted any tender, not yet "having Gnally decided upon the site for the railway workshops at Newmarket. WELLINGTON i'OXTON LINE. Mr Hutchinson asked whether they are prepared to propose such an amendment of the law as will authorise them to accept a tender for a separate section of any railway lines which have been sanctioned by Parliament, and whether in that way (hey will now propose a resolution to this House enabling them to di-al at onco with a tender already provisionally accepted for the first section of flic Wellington-Foxlon line.

Mr Oliver said Government had the matter under consideration. With regard to the second part of the question, Government had intended to bring forward a resolution in the manner proposed, but afterwards for prudential reasons had changed their minds and decided not nt present to enter into auy contract. KAIL WAY BENEFIT SOCIETIES. Replying to Mr Andrew, Mr Oliver aaid it was optional on the part of a member of a railway benefit society resigning on being discharged or dismissed from the service, whether or not then- connection with the society ceased.

KAILWAY WORKSHOPS AT DTTXEDIN. licplyiug to Mr Dick, Mr Oliver said plans were being prepared to erect railwny workshops at Duuedin similar to those at Addition, and that in addition to those at Dunedin, which were in progress. DIVISION OF THE LOAST.

Replying to Mr Gisbonie, Mr Hall said Government would endeavor to include in the promised statement a comparative distribution of the Public Works Loans among tlio different provincial districts; returns of amount pf exports produced in each district for three years boforc it comtuenped, and during the period of such distribution. VVANO.IKUI I'ATEA RAILWAY. Mr Ballance asked what is the cause of the delay in prosecuting tho Waitara contract of the W'anganui-Pateaitailway, and whether notice has been given to the contractor that penalties will be enforced. Mr Oliver said the contract time was

tho slh l)'N««»mber, nnd the contraclor had been notified that penalties would be enforced for n< nfulfilment.

UEWU Mr Ballaniv asked whether any communication Ikik been received from Kewi or any other natives relative to tlm extension of the iiuiiti line of railway I'rom Auckland to Ltiku Tanpo, and iron) thence to tho West Coast, and whether the practicability of the route will be tested by a survey with the least possible delay. Mr Bryee replied that no trace of such a telegram could bo found, and the practicability of tho West Coast line would bo tested. BEPBINT OF BTATUTEB. Replying to Mr Ballance Mr Rolleston said the Government did intend to give effect to tho recommendation contained in the interim report of the Reprint of Statutes Commission laid before this j House during last, session. COAL DUTY. \ Replying to Mr Lundon Major Atkinson said the Government had under consideration a recommendation to impose a duty on all coal imported into the colony. HOP DUTY. Replying to Mr Shepherd M«jor Atkinson said the Government had under consideration the propriety of complying with the pra3 rer of a petition from the bopgrowers of Kelson, that She duty on imported hops be increased, the subject matter of the said petition having been referred to " the serious consideration of the Government/ by the Public Petitions Committee. HEAD A FIEST TIME. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time:—To authorise the Governors of High Schools to realise on their reserves and endowments, and provide for the investment of proceeds therefrom, Brandon; The Sheriffs Act, 1858, Amendment, Moorhouse; To Facilitate and Encourage the Improvement of Land by "Drainage, &c, Murray ; The Southland High School. Rolleston. ' TRIENNIAL PARLIAMENTS. The report on the Triennial Parliaments Bill was considered. Mr Reeves moved the committal of the Bill, in order to alter clause three, so as to make the duration of tho present Parliament in expire in February, 1883.

On the question that the words proposed to be struck out stand part of the question, a division took place : Ayes 42, Noes 24. Division List.—Ayes, 42 :— Adams, Andrews, Atkinson, Ballunee, BeeOiom, Brandon, Bryce, Colbeck, DeLautour, I'ick, Finn, J. T. Fisiier (Heathcote), George (teller), Gisborno, Grey, Hall, Hutchison, Ireland (teller), Johnston, Levin, Maeandrew, McLean, Montgomery, Oliver, Ormond, Pitfc, Eeid, liolleston, Seymour, Speight, Stevens, Sutton, Swnnson, Tole, Trimble, Turnbull, Wnllis, Willis, Wood, Wright, llicbardson. —Noes, 24 : —Bain, Barron, Brown, Bunny (teller), Gibbs, Hatnlin, Harris, Hursthouse, Kelly, Lundon McDonald, Moss, Murray, Pyke, Beeves (teller), Saunders, Seddon, Shanks, Sheehan, Shepherd, Tainui, Taiwhi, Te Whcoro, Tomoana, and Whyto. The report was then ngreed to, a^d the Bill was read a first time and pass d. QUALIFICATION OP BLECTOR9. . Qualification of Electors Bill wag further considered in Committee.

Mr Montgomery moved as an amendrnent —That clause one be so altered as to make it read that no person shall be entitled to more than one vote.

Mr Moss moved as a further amendment —That every man of the age of 21 years, being a British subject, who has resided one year in the colony or one month in the district, shall be entitled to be registered; and "residence" shall mean the last place at which a man resided, and shall remain so, even although he may absent himself on business or pleasure, provided always ib is his intention to return again. Ho went on to say that what lie aimed at was to do away with the property qualification altogether. He would also move—That sub-section four be struck out altogether.

Sir George Grey spoke in support of the motion. The House had now been educated in the principles of Liberalism, and so rapid was the progress made, that the Government had actually outbidden thoir proposals in that direction. Such being the case, there ought to be no difficulty in carrying a proposal which tended in the direction of Manhood Suffrage pure and simple. Mr Swanson spoke in favor" of the property qualification being retained. Deprive them of that right, and the result would be to discourage men from acquiring properly. Instead of reducing the property qualification to £25, he would like to see it brought down as low as £10.

Dr Wallis contended that both property and persons should be represented. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.