PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3965, 13 September 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Peb PkessAssociation.)

Last Nigftt's Sitting. Wellington, Yesterday. LEASEHOLDERS' QUALIFICATIONS. On the motion for the second reading of the Leaseholders' Qualifications Bill, Mr Gisboroe rose to a point of order. The bill was simply a transcript of a clause of a bill which had been already negatived, and it could not be urged again or be brought up this session.—The Speaker ruled that the clause on the Jiepresentatirp Bill referred to was negatived on the distinct understanding that it should be embodied in a separate bill.-~.Mr Hall briefly moved the second reading, which was strongly supported by Dr Wallis,-Sir G. Grey said he would more an amendment in Committee to prevent any man exercising more than one vote on any qualification.-—Mr Seddon pointed out that this could not be done, as the question of restricton to a single rote had already been settled this session. He mored the bill be read a second time 1 this day six months.—Mr Andrews suggested that the leasehold qualification should be restricted to a registered lease, so as to preveufc the creation of bogus qualifications. —Mr otewarfc supported the bill.—Sir G. Grey objected to the bill, on the ground that it would gi?e wealth additional power—a power it ought not to possess. In committee, if his proposal restricting persous to uue role was out of order, he

would move that the limit be restricted to two, and if that was lost, then to three, and so on until the voting power of wealth had some limit placed on it.—Mr Moss would like to see the freehold vote abolished, but while this was retained and plural voting allowed, the leaseholders should also be allowed to vote.—Mr Reid opposed tbe bill.—Mr Saunders would support Sir Geo. Grey's proposals. On a division, the second reading was carried by 45 to 16.—The following is the Division List on the second reading :—Ayes, 45: Messrs Atkinson, Bain, Barron, Beetham, Brandon, Bryce, Bunny, Colbeck, Collins, Dick, Driver, Fisher J. B. (Buller), Fox, Fulton, Gibbs, Hall, Harris, Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Kenny, Levin, Lundon, Mason, McDonald, McLean, Moss, Murray, Oliver, Ormond, Rolleston, Russell, Saunders, Seymour, Shanks, Stevens, Steward, Sutton, Swanson, Wakefield, Wallis, Wbitaker, Whyte, Wood, Wright. Noes, 16: Messrs Allwright, Andrews, Ballance, Fisher J. T. (Heathcote), George, Hutchison, Jones, Levestam, Montgomery, Pitt, Keid, Seddon, Shepherd, Shrimski, Thomson, Turnbull. Ayes: Messrs Tole and Studholme. Noes: Messrs Speight and Beeves.—The Bill was,then read a second time, and on the motion for committal, Mr Seddon threatened to oppose its further passage at every stage in committee.—On clause 2, Mr Turnbull moved the addition of " provided said leaseholder exercises the franchise in respect of no other qualification."—This was negatived on the voices.—Mr Andrews moved to insert the words " leaseholder duly registered."—This was negatived on the voices.—Mr Levestam moved a further amendment, "Restricting each elector to a single vote for one member, and in one electorate only."—This was lost by 36 to 20.

A DEFEAT IN COMMITTEE^ House continued in Committee on Leasehold (Jualiacations Bill. Grey's motion to limit the Toting power to one electorate was lost by 32 to 20. Grey then moved a proviso that no elector shall in virtue of this or any other act vote in more than two electorates at any general or other election, which was then carried by 28 to 27.—Ayes : Andrews, Ballance, Barron, J. T. Fishsr, George, Gibbs, Gisborne, Grey, Harris, Hutchison, Jones, Levestam, Lundon, Macdonald, Montgomery, Pitt, Bead, Saundtrs, Shepherd, Shrimski, Stuart, Taiaroa, Tawhaia, Te Wheoro, Tole, Turnbull, Weston and Wood. Noes, 27: Atkifl. son, Bain, Beetham, Brandon, Bryce, Colbeck, Collins, Dick, Driver, Hall, P. J. Hurst, Johnston, McLean, Murray, Ormond, liolleston, Kussell, Shanks, Stevens, Studholm, Sutton, Swanson, Wakefield, Waliis, Whitaker, Whyte, and Wright. Grey then asked what the Government intended doing to carry out the declared will of the House, whereupon Hall rejoined thai Grey need not be exultant at having, for the first and only time this session, carried his point. The Govern* ment would consider what they would do. Grey said he thought the. matter ■ertoas enough to deserve every consideration.

Gibbs hoped the Premier would yield to tbe will of the majority. 1 he bill was then reported with amendments, which Hall mored should be considered to morrow. George moved it be considered immediately. Tbe amendment was lost by 38 to 26. . In reply to Grey, Hall said the Gofernment and the Attorney General agreed there was nothing iff the points raised by Gisboroe as to the Governor's absence.

The House rose' at 12.55.