PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3943, 18 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Pee Press Association.) Wellington, Yesterday. THE REPBE3ENTATION BILL.

On the motion Tor going into committee on the Representation Bill, Mr Wood moved a 1? an amendment " that the basis of representation should be as nearly practicable to the population, and that the estimate of population for the purposes of representation should consist of Europeans and Maoris combined, and that the 'Maori Representation Act, 1867, with the continuing Act, should be repealed." He argued that the time had arrived for repealiug the special representation. It had been originally provided for a period of five years, and from time to time the term had been continued. It was not creditable to them as a Legislature that while they had been engaged liberalising the franchise exercised by Europeans they had done nothing to extend a similar privilege to the natives. Mr Swanaon concurred in the amendment.

Mr Taiaroa suggested that it should stand over till next session, in order that the proposal might be considered and understood by the native population. The debate was interrupted by ihe 5.30 adjournment.

At the evening sitting, Mr Hall resumed the debate. He hoped the House would not adopt the amendment. With regard to this first clause, the difference between Mr Wood and Government was only one of degree. The Government proposals were to base the representation as nearly as possible on population ; the question at issue was the second proposition. Unless it was really practicable to apply one law to the Native and KuropeaD, that proposition was impossible. It was no use deceiving themselves on this point. Obedience to laws and payment of taxes were essential preliminaries to the power of making and enforcing the laws. In many respects, and necessarily and properly so, there were many exceptional laws. In the fencing law, and other similar laws, they were not applied to the natives for their own sakes, —we did not let them sell or mortgage their owu lauds; they were exempt from local and many other forms of taxation. It was not yet practicable to have one law for both races. It was not. therefore, desirable tor them, or just for us, to give them equal electoral rights. In a large portion of the North Island the Queen's writ was still waste paper, and yet it was proposed to give the natives, who would not obey the law, the power of making laws. No doubt a better day was dawning, but such proposals were altogether premature. This was shown by the speeches of the native members themselves. If the special representation was abolished, as proposed, political power would soon pass from the natives to the very worst class of Europeans. When the time comes that the North Island, by the increase of population, could claim an increase of representation, no one would more willingly accede to the request than he would. iVlr Tomona could not support the amendment. Time should be given the Maori people to undarstand what was really proposed. Bad results might follow on any sudden change.

Mr Gisborne would, at the proper time, move an addition to the first clause of Mr Wood's amendment, to the effect — " Provided that the present number of representative returned by any provincial district should not be reduced." He was not prepared to assent unreservedly to the second part of Mr Wood's amendments. The subject required much more serions consideration. He spoke at great length in strong condemnation of the bill generally, as calculated to produce revolutionary consequences. Mr Moss said that out of the total Maori population, there were not above 10,000 out of d 2,000 people amongst whom the Queen's writ did not run. He strongly supported the proposal to allow the natives equal electoral rights, with ourselves.

Mr Lundon supported the ameudmeat, contending that it was unfair to refuse electoral rights to the natives who obeyed the law, because there were some who did not do so.

Mr Hurst also supported the amendment, and spoke strongly in favour ot the North Island being given equal representation in proportion to the South, as at present he held that property as well as population should be considered.

LATiIiJR.

Wellington. This day. DEBATE CONTINUED. Mr Andrews thought the special representation should be abolished. Sir Geo. Grey supported and Dr Wallis opposed the amendment. Mr Murray was opposed to the special representation, and hoped to see the bill altered in many respects in committee. Mr Sheehan strongly urged the claims of the North Island to further representation, and also those of the Maoris to equal electoral rights with ourselvos, and giving this in lieu of special representation would, he was certain, have a most beneficial effect on relations between the races. Mr Turnbnll opposed and Mr Levistam supported the amendment, as also did Messrs Tole and Seddon.

A motion to adjourn the debate having been negatived, the House divided on the motion to go into committee on the bill: —Ayes, 40 : Allwright, Atkinson, Bain, Barron, Beetham, Bowen, Bryce, BunDy, Collins, Dick, J. T. Fisher, J. B. Fisher, Hurst, Johnston, Levin, Mason, MeCaughan, McDonald, McLean, Monfcjjomery, Murray, Oliver, Reid, Eolleston, Sauuders, Seymour, Shanks, Shrimski, Stevens, Studholme, Sutton, Taiaroa, Tewheoro, Thompson, Tomoana, Trimble, Turnbull, Wakefield, Wallis, and Whitaker. Noes, 19: Ballaace, George, Gisborne, Grey, Harris, Hirst, Hutchison, Kelly, Levestam, Lundon, Moss, JPitt, Kussell, Seddon, Shepherd, Swanson, Tole, Weston, and Wood. In Committee, clause 1, the short title, was passed, and progress being reported the House rusts at 1.00.