LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 982, 8 October 1878, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Fkid\t. Mr robinson's fine. The Hon. Mr Campbell explained that the Hon. Mr Robinson had requested him not to move his resolution to rescind the fine. ELECTORAL BILL. The Hon. Dr Pollen, on the second reading of the Electoral Bjll, complained that no statis i;.s had been given of the effect of the measure. He quoted figures to shew that the effect of the Bill would be to diminish the number of voters. In Victojia, un-ler manhood suffrage, with double the number of population, the number of voters was only double the present New Zealand roll. The Maori franchise was only an afterthought, introduced on the spur of the moment. The Maoris neither asked nor - wished for it, aud only wanted increased special representation, as the Hon. Mr Ng^tata had said. The names of Maoris on the Bay ot Islands roll were forgeries. [The Hon. Colonel Whitmore denied tin's statement.] He (Dr Pollen) was not afraid of manhood suffrage, if some protection were given to minorities. The Bill was a complete sham. The Hon. Mr Wilson thought a mau who was fit to act on a jury tit to give a vote. Maoris and Europeans should have the same laws. The Hon. Mr Hart opposed the Bill, ou the grounds of the evil which had arisen from manhood suffrage iv other countries. The debate was adjourned till Tuesday next.