HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4883, 3 September 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2 30

Messrs Tole, Dargaville, Moss,, Grey, and Peacock presented petitions from women praying that the franchise under the Licensing Act be extended to females of mature age.

Sir George Grey gave notice that he would introduce a bill to amend the Pro perty Assessment Acfc; Mr Gore gave notice that, he would, introduce a bill entitled, A Workman's Railway Act.

Mr Joyce said that the proceedings of the last few weeks had brought representative government into actual contempt. He cited authorities to show th*t with the exception of this and one of the other colonies, members taking office in the Government had to stand re-election by their constituents. He suggested a motion to the effect that this practice should be brought into operation in this colony. He would on a future day more a reßolution to this effect. .

Colonel Trimble and Mr Barroci made suggestions with the view of getting business proceeded with.

Major Atkinson did not think the last three weeks had been wasted. Their most 'important function was to secure a satisfactory Government. There was no great need for legislation, and that only left them the duty of redressing grievances. He objected to the proposal that members accepting office should go back to their constituents ; the proposal would be of no use in the present crisis. He also objected to preliminary business being gone on with, until a Government was decided upon. The constitution of the various Committees, for example, was a matter in which the Government in office had a right to hare a preponderance of supporters! The House rose at 3.5.