PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3939, 13 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Association.)

Wellington, Yesterday,

THE REPRESENTATION BILL

Mr Hall moved the second reading of

the Bepresentation Bill. He alluded to the various measures of electoral reform

passed duriug the present Parliament, and

which he hoped would yet pass. The present measure was the crowning one, to place the representation of the people on a satisfactory footing. Redistribution was periodically necessary, owing to the unequal growth of population in a young country, &c. He strongly eulogised Hare's system of representation as the most perfect. He expressed hopes he would live to see it adopted in this colony, but admitted it was at present in advance of public opinion. All they could do, there fore was to equalise representation under the present system. As to the number of members, it should not depeud on any arbitrary rule, but rather by consideration of how the colony could be conveniently divided into electorates within reasonable limits. The House should be made to suit the electorates, not electorates to suit the House. .Reviewing the arguments against too small or too large a House, he argued that the present bill proposed a fair medium. The country could be fairly divided into 91 electorates. In proportion to population this number was lower thau it had been in former periods in this colony. The leading priuciple of the bill was population. He knew of no other principle which could be adopted as a standard. However, it might be desirable to modify it by other con siderations. Tho nature of these qualifying considerations he dwelt on at some length. As nearly as possible it was proposed as a first step to give each provincial district representation in proportion to population. He regretted that this would largely reduce the representation of Nelson and Westland. Nelson, however, would still have a fraction more than it was entitled to. The Chinese population were not taken into account in the one island, or the Maori population in the other. Parliament had already granted exceptional representative to the Maori people, and therefore they could not be fairly taken into account in apportioning European representation; nor could they fairly be so until the bulk of the natives bore their fair share of taxation, and obeyed our laws. If they were entitled to additional representation it should be by native members, not Europeans. He urged a variety of reasons why country districts should have a larger proportionate representation than centres of population. He admitted a good deal might be said on both sides of the question. Of single electorates, the balance was, he thought, in favor of such electorates, as the House had rejected the proposal that in districts entitled to three members there should be a representation of the minority by only giving an elector two votes. He read a long memorandum on the proposed changes in the representation of districts. He claimed that the bill was a fair aud just one, and he hoped no mere local feelings would be allowed to prejudice its consideration. He moved the sec nd reading of the bill.

Mr Gisborne moved, aa an amendment, " Thati in the opinion of this House, it was not desirable that population should be the sole basis of representation, and the system of single electorates was unsatisfactory." He urged that the situation, character, and pursuits of the population of the various parts of the

colony should be considered, as well as their members, and he quoted figures relating to representation in Great Britain to show liow unfairly a pure population basis would operate. He objected to nearly 600 Armed Constabulary being included in estimating population, on which Taranaki representation was estimated. If Nelson would only revolt and set up an insurrection, which would require a large force to be sent to quell it, it would, on this principle, be entitled to retain its representation. Goldfields, he contended, were entitled to a large proportion of representation owing to the large proportion of adult males to the population. This meant a large proport:on of tax payers. It was most unjust to reduce the representation of Westland even below the quota, as was proposed. The productive power of a district should also be considered, and on this ground also Westland was entitled to more representation. Single electorates, he contended, intensified, rather than re duced the evil of nou-representation of large minorities. What was wanted in this colony was an elastic system of representation, which would adjust itself to varying circumstances. He disclaimed all party feeling in his amendment. Sir G. Grey said he attached very little importance to the details of representation while all the representatives were subject to review by a nominated chamber. Instead of discussing mere details, he would like to see all their energy and power devoted to a grand struggle for the right to determine their own form of Government. With the details of the bill he could not agree ; but the spirit of represeutation according to population he would support, although he did so without hope. He held that the opinions of the majority of the people should rule and govern the country.

LA.TEH

Wellington, This day

Sir W. Fox, looking back at Sir George Grey's career as a Governor in the early days of the colony, and the determined opposition he then showed to every effort of the people to secure constitutional liberty, could not now believe in his sincerity when advocating the popular rights. This feeling was further strengthened by Sir George Grey's actions as Premier in 1878, when he actually tore up a liberal electoral bill agreed to by both Houses so as to prevent the bill becoming law. He considered the present bill a step in the right direction, and as such would support it.

Mr Sheehau defended Sir George Grey from the attack of Sir W. Fox, and retaliated. The present bill, he contended, was really Sir George Grey's, and had been forced on the Ministry, whom Sir George Grey compelled to turn his chariot wheels. It was useless attempting to wipe Sir George Grey out; the people did and would believe in him. As to the bill, he could not support it, as it was not a bill really to give representation to population; if it were, the Maori population, who were equally large contributers to general taxation as ourselves, would be taken into consideration, and the North Island would be given six more members than was proposed. The .North had already endured sufficient injury from Southern dominations, and would never consent to allow further power to be given to the South. Unless the proportion of representation between the Islands was maintained, there would arise a demand for separation which no Ministry could resist. Mr Collins characterised the bill as chimerical and unfair. He and other friends of the Government would have to vote agaiust it, and Ministers would have to depend on their enemies to carry it. It was most unfair that those portions of the colony which had not kept pace with other parts because they had not had a fair share of the expenditure of borrowed money, for which they were yet equally liable, should now bd punished for their misfortune by being deprived of part of their representation. Mr Hursthouse protested strongly against the injustice proposed to be done to Nelsou by the bill. The duty of the Government should be to reader the people happy and contented, but this bill would render 26,000 people discontented, and make them feel a sense of injustice. The bill was one to hand over the Government of the country to centres of population, and he should oppose it to the utmost.

Messrs Moss and Hurst aU-o spoke strongly against the bill, as being most unjust to the North Island, and especially to Auckland. The latter pointed out that the present injustice would lead to greater ii justice if any future public works loans were to be allocated, as the districts which had already fared the worst would now be rendered still more powerless.

Mr Gibbs moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House rose at 1.5.