Parliamentary.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 958, 13 August 1878, Page 2

Parliamentary.

, - — -O . r OF ftEPRESEN- . • ■ ; TATIVES. , ■ Friday. Tqe House met at 2 30. PAiTMitNT OF MEMBERS. Mr Woolc >ck gave notice to move, "The Government should introduce a 1 Bill de»liu« with payment of members." HONORARIUM. Mr Shetthan laid on the table a v • urn elating to members who had n.it drawn the full honorarium. CHINESE IMMIGRATION. . Mr Reeves asked, " If Government intended to introduce a Bill this session to restrict the Immigration of Chinese?" Mr Stout said that at present the Government had not the power without applying to the Home Government to restrict Chinese immigration. So fai, however, the subject had not attained the magnitude it had done in California. When, the question really became of importance, io would be time to deal with it. ELECTORAL BILL. Mr Stout moved the second reading of the Electoral Bill. He said it was necessarily a consolidating measure, and brought into a focus the electoral legislation of the colony by repealing a number ol Acts dealing with the! various descriptions of franchise. The lion, gentleman proceeded to explain the provisions of the Act in detail. At present there was only one roll made up in the year, and they intended to improve the present law by causing two rolls to be made up. The present system of ballot was preserved, but an important, alteration was made in regard to the mode of nomination. They also proposed to prohibit the use of carriages and cabs, and close public-houses, because it was but proper that on au election day, above all others, men should not have their brains muddled with drink. The question of bribery he would not refer to then; it would be time enough when the Bribery Bill came on. As to re distribution of seats, the Government were of opinion if they tyougbt in a measure dealing with that question at once, it must lead to a dissolution, and so elections would have to be conducted by means of the present system. He did not think it would be wis°, to deal hurriedly with so important a question. From information from the Registrar-Qeneral he felt certain that two.ttr ids of the people of the colony were not on the present roll, but could bo placed upon the roll, which was part of the present Bill. He found that there were numbers of people who ought to have a vote who were without one, and were practically an outcast class in the colony. He failed altogether to understand the force of the expression, " a stake in the colony," used by those in favour of restricting the franchise. If a man earned only his living in the colony, though he was without land or household property, he had a stake in the colony, because its prosperity would be his prosperity. Why should clerks, assistants in shops, settlers' sons, and others be unrepresented ? Had they not as much intelligence as those who were allowed votes ? They often heard a good deal about Hare's system, but he contended that it did not ascertain public opiniou. The only effect Hare's system could produce would be election of what had been well called a Parliamentary nuisance, or a body of men who represented diverse views, without any sentiment iu common. Without force and union no political reform could ever be carried out. He might instance the. growth of the temperance question in England. No one scarce heard of the temperance advocates until such tiin*} as the different teetotal societies in the towns and hamlets of England combined, and formed an alliance. Then it was felt that a new power had arisen. Without co-operation and combination the latent political forces of people were of no avail. Their whole Parliamentary system was based on the power of majorities. The philosophy of this sytem was to obtain political aggregates, whereas, if they worked on Hare's system they would fill Parliament with representatives of a lot of cliques. He contended for the present Bill that it would have the effect of politically educating the people, and without that was done, it would be impossible to achieve any great political reform. No doubt the work of education would be slow, but he dreaded those clean-sweep reforms. They were rarely lasting. It would b8 unreasonable to expect that they

could jump at once to peif ocion in the way of electoral reform, and it would be a bad day for ths colony if they deferred dealing witli the . question till such time »s they thought that they couM dispose of it iu a final maimer. He saw no cause for alarm in the propo el extension of the franchise. The thing was inevitable, and must arrive shortly, no matter what party was in power. So long as a large section of the publio were unrepresented, there would be inntterings of discontent and demands for reform; Some:people said the Bill did not go far enough, that it did not grant Manhood Suffrage pure and simple, but; hi would ask them what class of men were unable to obtain the franchise It none, except the newly-arrived immigrant. He. believed that no 'measure 'emanating from any Parliament dealt with the franchise in so wide a manner, whether as regarded men or women. All the latter who were ratepayers would have a vote l in the same way as they had under municipal laws. He objected to Dr Wallis's views on the subject, as going too far. If the Bill became Jaw, he believed it would be found to work well, and give satisfaction, at any rate, until such time as the question of the franchise to women became a burning question. The fact of allowing ladies to vote, would, he believed have a great snfluence in causing election gatherings to be more orderly than at present, As to Maori representation, he believed, it would be wise to retain for the present the special Maori vote. Probably they might increase the number of Maori representatives. Mr Whitaker would not oppose the second reading, but he considered it open to a number of very serious objections. It seemed to be the work of many minds, and, altogether, was a timid production—the machinery, too, was unnecessarily complex the system of qualification was altogether too complicated. He thought the franchise should be reduced to a simple reaidental one. He would not go fully into the question then, as he intended to reserve himself till he introduced his own Bill on the same

subject, and he ventured to say members would find this Bill to deal with the question more simply, more effectually, and more inexpensively, The Bill, it appeared to him, ought to have provided for native election. They ejave natives an advantage over Europeans by allowing them two votes, while Europeans had but one, and could not vote at native electious. ' It also appeared to him that an essential principle of a democratic constitution was the representation of minorities. He hoped the House would permit the Attorney-General's Bill and his (Mr Whitaker's) Bill to go to a select committee. They had an exeelleut op-

portunity of dealing with the whole question, without any party feeling in the matter. Mr Joyce said that if the expectations of the colony had been realised, a much simpler and shorter Bill, with less expensive machinery, would have been brought down. There was no principle in the Bill at all. He was sorry it perpetuated the pernicious system of numbering ballot-papers. Why did Government not bring down Manhood Suffrage at once ? In a colony like this Manliood Suffrage need be no cause for alarm. As to the female franchise, he thought it would be time enough to consider that question when they had Manhood Suffrage, which, as yet, they did not have. Mr DeLatour supported the Bill, and, though it was said to be complicated, he did not think it possible to introduce a Bill on such a question that would not be complicated. As to Have's system, which was frequently referred to, he would remind members that Hare the discoverer of the system named after him—drafted a Bill which no Parliamentary draftsman coidd understand. He thought the Government acted wisely in not opening up the question of Maori representation. It was his opinion that a Bill giving Manhood Suffrage, combined with Hare's system, would be a much less liberal measuie than this Bill. Hare's system threw power in the hands of minorities, and led to the public wrongs which they were anxious should not be continued or perpetrated in this country, as they had been in the home country. He objected to the House coupling the Government Bill with that of the member for Waikato. Ever since 1860, Hare's system had been pushed forward, and had been steadily rejected ever since by all practical statesmen. He thought the residential qualification of the present Bill covered all necessary ground, and "■ranted the very widest possible franchise. He believed in the wisdom of makingnew arrivals in the colony undergo a probationary term before being granted the franchise. One bad effect oi Hare s system woidd be to keep m tho background the young men of New Zealand. Had Hare's system been m force here, they would never have seen those'young men on the Government benches, whom many of them were so proud to see there now. Under that system, they could never have obtained sufficient notoriety to have caused them to be brought forward. They could not afford to pass over their young men of promise, for, much as they respected the old, they could not always have them with them. Mr Wason thought the question was one which ought to be dealt with in the most practical manner possible. He objected to the Bill in one respect; it shuts out one of the most valuable classes of the population, namely—those who reside in dwellings of a not very valuable character. He took exception to the mode in which the female franc \se was dealt with. They granted a woman who was a ratepayer a franchise, but the spinsters and married women were not allowed a vote, though he failed to see why they ■were not as much entitled to a vote as the ratepaying female. Another objection to the Bill was, that it continued the existing law by which the natives enjoyed an advantage over their European neighbors. It appeared to him that the special Maori representation should be cut out of the Bill altogether. He agreed with the Bill in so far as it abolished the miners' rights system, which ought to have been swept away years ago. Mr Wakefield said he did not wonder at the Bill being introduced by tho Attorney - General instead of by the Premier. Indeed, the latter could not, with any decency, introduce the Bill, because it had nothing in common with the Premier's views on the subject. iN'o, the Bill was wholly and solely tho Attorney-General's Bill. In common with the Premier and many of the hou. members, ho was warmly attached to Manhood Suffrage, and the whole country had been led to expect Manhood Suffrage

Tho Premier had, over and over again told them that Manhood Suffrage should he introduced and plurality of voting prohibited. Ho could not praise the j Government for their moderation in this , matter. It was not moderation they j wanted, but Manhood Suffrage. He j intended to endeavor to have the Bill , amended in the direction he wished, and he felt certain lie would have the assistance of the Premier. It was quite I)ossible under that Bill to seo elections in several districts he knew of to be carried on by absentee electors. He could not conceive why the (Government should havo retained the abominable feature of plural voting after thuudering upon every platform in the country promises of Manhood Suffrage. Mr Moss sympathised heartily with the sentiments of the lion, member for Geraldine. Still, he approved of that portion of the Bill dealing Avith Maori representation, because if they granted perfect Manhood Suffrage to Europeans, how could they with any grace refuse it to Maoris. He opposed the idea of referring that Bill, and that of the member for Waikato, to a select committee. If the House did not agree with the Bill, the proper way was to meet it by amendments. As to Manhood Suffrage—pure and simple,—he was opposed to it in the interests of democracy itself, for, he contended, he held democratic views. The one blot on the political system of the United States of America ■vras Manhood Suffrage. While, however, the Bill was not that which the House Avas led to expect, it Avas still a step in the right direction. As to Hare's system,he contended that it had a tendency to destroy political life. There was no life about it. It could only result in a collection of whimsical people. The system, liOAvever, could be Avell adapted for municipal bodies Avho dealt only with property; but it did did not suit Avhere questions required to be dealt with on social and national grounds. Recognising the Bill as n, piece of cautious, and at the same time beuoficial, legislation, he Would support the second reading. Bir G-eorge Grey moved the adjournment of the debate till Thursday next. Tho House adjourned at 11.40. [prom OL'RSPEorALcorrespondent;] W ELLI .S GTON, last night. A. meeting of members representing the constituencies of . nek land, Taranaki, and Wellington, was held this morning. Fourteen gentlemen were present. Mr Kelly was voted to the chair. The meeting was called to specially discuss the best route for the main trunk railway from Wellington to Auckland, via Wanganui and Taranaki.

Sir R. Douglas moved a resolution referring the whole question of railway construction to a committee of the House. Mr Moss moved au amendment urging upon the Government the importance of the line, and the necessity for its construction as soon as possible. Mr Bryce moved a further amendment asking the Government to have the best route ascertained and explored. He advocated the route via Manawatu aud Taupo. Ultimately, the third amendment

(moved by Mr Whi taker and seconded by Mr Carrington) was carried. This amendment referred the question to a committee (consisting of Messrs Fox, O'florke, Moss, Kelly, and Bryce) to obtain all possible information as to the best route for the line of railway connecting Te Awamiitu with the South, the report of the committee to be considered at a future meeting. Mr Whitaker's Electoral Bill is likely to cause trouble, as Ministers are divided upon Mr Stout's Bill. Otherwise, there is no sign of opposition. (from another correspondent) WELLINGTON, last night. Politics are decidedly dull. The only matters creating some little stir are the new Electoial Bill, and rumors about the probable chancres in the Cabinet. In reference to the franchise, it is understood that many members of the Government party consider that the provisions of the new Bill do not go far enough, and it is expected that Sir George Grey, who moved the adjournment on Friday, and opens the Bill tomorrow, will throw some light on the intentions of the Cabinet. In reference to the. latter, Ministers have bjen closeted all day, and those who know, say that the prolonged conference relates to the severance of the connection between the Ministry and the Hon. Colonel Whit-more. It is said that he will be succeeded in the Upper House as exponent of ministerial views by the Hon. P. A. Buokley, assisted by the Hon. J. N. Wilson, of Napier. I give this rumor for what it is worth, but I should not be surprised to learn that it was correct. It is quite certain, however, that the alteration will make no chauge in the material strength of the Ministry, and that the session will be brought peaceably to a close at the end of next month. I heard a good story anent the earthquake of Wellington. A large brick building had been erected by one of the leading merchants, and several men were stauding in the street, in admiring contemplation and commendation of the unwonted spectacle, and near them stood an old Maori woman, who croaked forth the ominous prophecy, " Taihoa ! taihoa ! by-and-bye the earthquake ! komiita the ' expletive ' building !" ' I always look with veneration upon the opinion of abonginies in reference to the physical phenomena of their own country, and always make a vow not to sleep anywhere but in a wooden building whilst in Wellington. I was much gratified to hear that Sir George says the same thing. His kuowiedge of Wellington, of old, is a guarantee of the soundness of the opinion I had formed, and, besides it beatifully exemplifies the remarkable coincidence of great minds. It is not true that £BOO was ; " stuck-up " at Bellamy's during the recess. I have it on the very best authority, in the co'.in ;il couterouce,

to-day, time Mr McMiim moved ilia the definition of rateable value be altered, so as Licludo the value to sell of any property to be tubed under the act, vviih a view to enable the local body to ievy the rate on the basis of actual value, irrespective:of improvements. An amendment of Mr Saunders went more into details, but, on the same principle, was accepted by Mr MeMinn. The proposition, however, was lost by 12 to ( J. Mr Hcjbbs moved a resolution having for its object the alteration of the basis of distributing the subsidies, so that the neglected oat distiicts might get the major part of the money granted, and the wealthy and settle.l districts less in proportion. Mr Hobbs' resolution v?as carried unanimously 1 At a meeting of the Auckland and Taranaki members to-day, on the motion of Mr Win taker, a committee was appoiuted to obtain all possible information as to the nest route for a railway from Te Awamufcu to the South.