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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3972, 21 September 1881, Page 2

The Ministry have Lad to withdraw the Leaseholders' Qualification Sill, owing to the opposition shown by Sir George Grey, and the fact that a motion was carried to the effect that no elector shall vote in more than two electorates at aDy election. The motion was no doubt intended by the proposer to apply to the [Representation Bill, for it said that "by virtue of thjs^ Act, or any Act," an elector was restricted to the exercise of only two votes, and so probably in order not to jeopardise that bill, the Premier has seen fit to withdraw the new measure for the present session. The excuse made by Mr Hall, that time was not available to premit a free discussion of the measure, is but a poor one, for the subject is not by any means a new one in the House, and most mem* bers have made up their minds upon it. Sir George Grey has had good cause to say the Government have not kept good faith with him, for he was led to believe the Premier would accept as ah amend' ment a limit of three votes, which any elector might exercise at elections for members of the House of Representatives. If any arguments were wanted to point out the true intention of the new Representation Bill, the refusal of the Government to accept an amendment restricting the voting power, would show at least the impression on the minds of the fathers of the measure, and the object sought by the Bill—to give extended power to property holders. At this day's sitting Sir George Grey further alludes to the subject, and both Messrs Saunders and Seddon bear out his statement that it was due to. the representations made by the Premier that he had withdrawn his opposition. This unfair way of gaining an advantage may be admissable in politics, but it is conduct that gentlemen should not lend themselves to. Probably more will be heard of this matter during the coming elections.