HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TUESDAY'S SITTING. YESTERDAY'S SITTING. LAST NIGHT'S SITTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1418, 4 August 1881, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TUESDAY'S SITTING.

YESTERDAY'S SITTIN G.

LAST NIGHT'S SITTING.

Miscellaneous. Mr Hall gave notice to ask for leave to introduce the Railways Construction Bill, and Mr Dick gave similar notice in regard to the Town Disti icts Bill. The Premier promised that enquiry should be nude into the grievances of the Auckland railway employes.

The Representation Bill. Mr Hall movod for leave to introduce this bill. Mi" Barron moved as an addition, "Tint it be a recommendation to Government in framing the bill that the piescnt number ot representatives should not be exceeded." He disclaimed all intention of raising any party question, stating that lie moved the amendment in aecoi dance with a general feeling prevailing throughout the House. Mi Hall thought such an amendment should be made in the motion for the second reading. Mi Brown suppoi ted the amendment, and Messrs Bowen and Levestam agieed in saying it was inexpedient to move it at that time. Mr Macandrew defended the amendment. He was in favor of reducing the number of representatives. Mr Shepherd concuned in the last icmark of MrMaeaudrew's. but agreed that the present was inexpedient for discussing the subject. Messrs Moss and Andrews spoke in favor of the amendment. Sir George Grey moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr Hall opposed. Mr Slieelian thought the present number of membeis sum'oient, but he was not prepared to reduce that number. He thought the schedules of the bill should be submitted to the House to lemove all doubts, and then membeis would, he thought, assist the Government. The motion for adjournment was lost. The question was then put thac the amendment stand part of the motion : — Ayes, 22 ; noes, 40. The bill was then read a first time.

The Estimates. The Estimates were considered in Committee of Supply. In reply to a question, Mr Johnson snid the 10 per cent reductions had been abandoned, and reductions made accoidinjr to circumstances. Severed of the lion, members complained that they had not yet had time to peruse the Intimates, and a motion that progress be repented was put and c.inied.

Gaming and Lotteries Bill. Clause 24 parsed with slight alteration. Mr «T. 13. Fisher moved that progress be iepoited. He eoucluded that the bill was not wanted. Negatived on the voices. Clauses 23 — 2!) passed with slight alteiMlion u . Mi* Reeves moved that progress be repoited The House divided : — Ayes, 19 ; noes, 37. A few other amendments wore made, and the bill w.is reported. The House adjourned at 1 a m.

The House met at 2 30. Petition. Sir W. Fox presented a petition from certain niembers of the Law Piaetitioners Society, Wellington, protecting against the JPiactitionor^ Bill before I'aili uncut.

Volunteer Vote. Mr Finn gave notice that lie Avould move an address to the (Governor, piaying that a fnither sum of money be placed on the Estimates for Volunteer puiposes.

Monday's Sitting. Mr Hall announced his intention of moving ''That in futiue the House sit on Monday's evenings, and that one private membeis' day in the Meek be given up."

Questions. Replying to questions put it was stated that Uo\ eminent coidd not disclose its intentions as to the purchase of native lands on the East Coast. The law dnected how these announcements should bo made, and its piovision would be stuetly adhered to.—The 10 per cent, leduction was made for July, in accordance w itli a resolution of the House. If the Estimates as framed were passed by the House, then the amount deducted would be lefunded from the ,30th June. Dnection had been given to pay the costs aw aided to the successful objectors to the (.Jovemment valuations.

New Bills. The following 1 bills were introduced and read a fust time ■—Kakanui Harbour Board Borrowing Bill (Mr Shrimiski) ; R.iilwuy Construction ; to amend the o<tnteibmy Rivers Act (Mr Hall).

Steam to England. Mi Macandrew moved "that a committee be appointed to consider and report upon the best means of establishing direct steam service between New Zealand and the Mother Country." Mr Johnson said the Government had no objection to the motion, and were quite alive to tho importance of direct steam communication being established. •'The motion was adopted."

The Upper House. Dr Wsillis moved " That the time has come when the members of the Legislative Council fhould be elected by the people of the Colony." Mr Hall regretted that the question had nof come up in a fuller House, the motion having: come on unexpectedly. It would be injudicious to abolish the second Chamber. It operated as a wholesome check upon hasty and incomplete legislation. He did not think that the nomination for life was a good course to pursue, as it« tendencies were to create members out of harmony with the times, and the vacancies were too few to enable that state of things to be counteracted. Moreover, the nomination system was liable to be abused, although he did not mean to say such had been the case in New Zealand. There were many men who had all the requisite abilities for good legislation, and yet they could not make themselves popular enough to secure the popular

vote. What he would suggest was that they should be elected by that House 'aodi the ballot. A process of that kiud wouldj secure the services of the class referred to byhim. He d"id not suppose that it was, intended to press the question to' a final issue, and having ventilated 'the subject he would suggest to the mover that the motion might in the meantime be withdrawn. , Sir George Grey contended that in the success which had attended Provincial Council legislation they had a guarantee that the business cduld be carried on efficiently by one Chamber. The system, was responsible for the hasty and indiscriminate legislation complained of, as they felt that the work was sure to, be put right in another place. He denounced the practice of members being allowed to resign their seats at pleasure, and yet the Crown was bound to re'liain these gentleman for life if they chose to remaiu. He understood that the Premier led his constituency to undeistand that he meant to bring in a bill to reform this Chamber, and he called upon him to do so, assuring him that he would h^ve the support of his side of the House. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

The whole evening waft spent in oommittee on the Oatnaru Harbour Bill, ivhich ih still going 1 on. (Left Sitting.)