PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1779, 4 September 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(United Press Association.)

[By Telegraph,] .Wellington, Thursday. In the House, after Mr Stout's statement, Mr Guinness asked if lie (Mr Stout) had received a promise of a dissolution.if the Government was defeated.

Tho Premier replied that the question was an, irregular and unfair one, and be could not'answer it,., In replying to Mr Bevan the Premier said it would take time to. answer whether the Government would Intro-, duce a bill for the election of waste lands committees by the people instead of being nominated by the Government.' ' '.,'"■:. :

; .The Colonial Treasurer, .replying to Mr Moss said the Government intended to allow the amount of honorarium tO : remain as at present, but : tp bo paid annually instead Of Bessiohaiiy.'. The following Bills were introduced and read a second time '.—Abolition of

Gold Duty Bill, a Bill to amend the Propsrty Assessment Act) North Dunedin Cemetery Extension Bill, City of Dunedin Leasing Powers Bill,/Wanganui Harbor Board; Rating Bill, Drainage of Mines Bill, and Workmen's Wages Bills. , .^

Mi-O'Connor moved—That to relieve the consolidated revenue from charges derived from deficit railway returns, it is desirable that the land be taxed in proportion to the benefits received from the railway, and then, to secure satisfactory nhd efficient management, local governing bodies be invited to suggest to a Minister any alteration necessary in their locality.,

a-.1'.-Mr Barron moyed a second reading .of the Plurality of Votes Bill. He was of opinion each man should have one -vote and no more. By the present system everyone knew that the man who held large property had a great deal of influence in the election for the House of "Representatives, and this had a large political significance. Mr Guinness suggested a seaman's franchise' Be considered the Premier would not admit that property alone was represented by system.,

The Preaier said: he did not believe that plural voting had affected a single election. He would support the Bill brought forward to extend franchise to seamen, 7-

Mr Dodson denied the statement that no election had been influenced by plural voting. Within his experience a district had been disfranchised by outside electors.

The Bill was read a second time on the question that it be recommitted,

Sir Julius Voqel said he. did not think a long-standing privilege should betaken away hastily, and would yote against the Bill if it came to a division. Captain Russell objected to the BiJU Sir George Grey said, he was 'the father of the Bill. The House at one time committed itself to a pledge that plurality of votes should not extend over three, but this had never beon done. To pass this measure would bo legalising manhood suffrage, and he asked to distinguish itself by expressing itself in favor of every maa in the country having one vote.

Mr Pyke characterised the Bill as a most crude and imperfect measure, and advised the Government to consider the question of bringing down a Registration of Electors' Act. The question that the Bill be recommitted next Wednesday was carried.

The House adjourned at 5,30 until 2.30 to-dav.