PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3949, 25 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Pee Peess Association.) Wellington, Yesterday, 3.15 p.m. STONE "WALLING.

After Mr Gisborne moving as a further amendment the addition of the following as a proviso: " Provided that4s members shall be given to the JNorth Island, and 46 to the iSouth Island," —Grey moved that progress be reported. He did so in no hostile spirit, but simply with the view of approaching the question with a calm mind.—On the suggestion of the Premier, the motion for reporting progress was withdrawn. Hall opposed the motion, contending that the alteration proposed would strike at the root of the representative principle just affirmed.—itussell supported the motion, contending that the preponderance proposed by the clause as it stood would be most unfair to the North. So long as the legislation comprised its characteristics of a board of works, it was more than ever necessary to adjust the balance of power on an equitable basis. — Brandon thought the bill rery wrong in principle, and would vote against it.—The question was then put that the words proposed be added to the clause —Ayes, 19; noes, 45.—Levestam moved, as a further proviso, the words: "Provided that in no borough in which the seat of Government for the colony shall have any representation."—The question was then put that an addition be made to the clause. Ayes, 14; noes, 40.—Hall said

they would only consent to the adjournment on the understanding that the stonewalling process had come to an end. They would decline, if it was simply to enable members to recruit for renewing the operation.— Grey said that he believed there was some provocation for the sionewalling ; however, he desired to raise no party question. He would give no promise, but so far as he was concerned no unnecessary obstruction would be thrown in the way.—Bastings said he had still an amendment to move, and having done so he would leave the matter in the hands of the House.—Pitt said he felt bound to take the course he had done in deference to a strong expression of opinion from his constituency. In the face of a large majority against him, he felt constrained to give way, and say it was best to offer no further obstructiou. If the adjournment was agreed to, the Opposition members would have an opportunity for consulting, and'he had hopes that an amicable understanding would be come to. I —Seddon declined to give any such pledge, announcing his determination to discuss every clause and act in the matter as he thought right. He charged the Premier with having a tyrannical majority at his back using it. — Gibbs also announced his determination to deal by the bill as he might see fit. He would oppose every clause. —Taiwhai said that a meeting of Auckland members had been held, at which it was resolved to oppose the bill as unfair to the North Island. He was astonished to find these tery men going into the lobbies and voting for the bill. He denounced the deception thus practised.—Hursthouse appealed to Government to consent to progress being reported. —Lundon said all that Government was asked to concede was an hour's postponement. It was not worth while insisting upon the adjournment, more especially when such a promise was to be exacted.—Grey was sorry Government had refused a reasonable request, and would accept with pleasure the challenge Government had given, and be prepared to fight out the cause into which they had been forced by the uncompromising conduct of Government. —Russell said that Government having shown its strength should now show its magnanimity.—Trimble thought if the motion was withdrawn, it would be a graceful act on the part of Government to accede to an adjournment till 7.30. The House was evidently in a state of irritation. —Hall said he would be prepared to follow the course suggested.—The question for reporting progress was then put —Aye«, 11; noes, 43.—The Chairman then left the chair until 8 o'clock.

On the House resuming, Finn drew attention to the Standing Orders providing that unless otherwise ordered the House shall sit each day at 2.30, and he quoted from " May's Parliamentary Practice" to show that a debate in committee could not be allowed to take precedence of the sitting of the House, as had been done that day.—Seymour thought it might have been more proper to have reported progress, so as to allow a sitting of the House as directed. At 2.30 the Speaker elected, however, not to take the Chair, as the Committee was sitting. — The ■(Hie lfcepresentation Bill was then further considered in committee.—On clause 3, Oliver proposed that the clause be postponed until the schedules were passed.— The Chairman explained that all the clauses of the bill would have to be passed before the schedules were considered.— Oliver said he should ask to strike out the words " 91 electoral districts," m order to insert " 86." The object was to have Dunedin and Wellington continued as one electoral district, instead of being cut up into wards.—Bastings moved, as in a previous amendment, " That the clause be altered su as to read, ' There shall be nine electoral districts, corresponding with the provincial districts, and that each elector therein shall have as many votes as there are members allotted to the provincial districts."—Hall opposed the amendment, —Seddon proposed another amendment. " That the electoral districts remain as at present constituted."—Grey moved, as a further amendment, that the clause be made to read as follows : " The number of European members for any one district shall bear to the whole number of Euro pean members as nearly as may be the proportion that any such district bears to the population of New Zealand."—The House divided on Seddon's amendment, which was n«gatived by 56 to 13.

LATER.

Wellington. This day. THE CONSIDERATION OF CLAUSE 3 CONTINUED. After a long discussion, Bastings withdrew his amendment. Seddon's was rejected by 50 to 13. Oliver's amendment to strike out the words " ninetyone" was rejected by 40 to 17; aud Grey's amendment was rejected by 38 to 11. The clause then passed, as also clauses 4, 5. 6, aud 7.

Moss, oa behalf of Sheehan, moved a new clause to restore leasehold franchise of £10 for leases having three years to run, or in possession for three years. The clause was read a second time. Lundon moved to substitute the words " six months " for " three years," but the amendment was lost by 37 to 15. A further amendment by Jones, " That no person shall exercise more than one vote for any property," was lost on the voices. Another amendment by Luudon to substitute one year for three years' possession of leasehold was carried, and the new clause, as amended, was then added to the bill on a division of 35 to 11.

At 2 30 progress was reported, and the bill ordered to be further considered in committee on Friday.

The House then rose