PARLIAMENTARY [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TUESDAY'S SITTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1433, 8 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TUESDAY'S SITTING.

Wellington, Tuesday. The Representation Bill. Mr Hutchmson followed Mr Sounders in the debate on Monday night, and did not look upon the Bill as at a) I calculated to do injury to the colony or to the North Island. For that reason he would vote for the third reading 1 , f.s a step in the right direction. What be wished to Hay was that he was not very buro but that they [were getting this bill at too dear a price — at the pi ice of a demolition of fair debate and criticism. Mr Hurst contended that the representation, as between North and South Islands, ought to have been left unaltered and that it was only right that the Maoris should have been inoluded ia the population basis. He was not so sure but that the irregularity would eventually lead to the dismemberment of the colony They had a sories of resolutions in that direction at the present in the order paper, and he believed North and South fiom differout reasons might desire it. He believed that the p.iswge of the Bill would probably lead to the &eat of Government being changed, and he thought veiy properly, as the site was fixod for the convenience of members and that of the majority could be consulted by meeting at Christchurch. He would support the amendment for reading that day six months, although he knew that the bill Avould pans. The usual half-hour adjournment at 10.30 then took place. Messrs Pritt, Shepherd, and Gisborne spoke against the bill, and Messrs Montgomery and Swauson in support of it. Mr Hall, referring to Sir George Grey's speech, said every statement by him could easily be refuted, but the hon. gentleman's statements were so notorions that it was really not worth while replying to them. The Nelson men, he admitted, had fought a sturdy battle. What course they would take m the future he knew not. He had found his task a most unpalatable one, but he had been bound to act towards Nelson as he had done, even had they lost valued political support by it. He denied that the prosperity and population of the South was clue to public works expenditure, and he did not believe the Bill would increase the power of the wealthy. Cutting up the city electorates into wards would greatly lessen the coat and trouble of elections. He scouted the idea that the bill would tend to produce either separation or a change ot the seat of Government. To have longer delayed a fair re-adjustment would have had a more dangerous tendency in that direction. He quite admitted the bright prospects of the North Island, aud in 1887, if he had any say in the matter he would be prepared most fully to recognise its rights and to give it increased representation if it was entitled to it. He impressed upon the people the necessity of electing men of character and position rather than those pledged to a particular cry or leader or party. The country would hail the passage of the Bill with a aigh of relief, and it would have an important effect on the political progress and material welfare of the colony, The House divided on the motion that the Bill do no ft pass. Ayes. 33 ; noes, 8. After some discussion on the title of the Bill, it was carried by 32 to 9. At 4. 10 a.m. the House adjourned until 9.3) p.m. Mr. Lundon criticised the remarks made by Mr. Saundew, which he characterised as '• rot." On being called to order he went on to cay that "Mr. Saundera had attempted to speak down the workinemau when ho waa stopped by a howl of indignation from the gallery. He ooncluded by Baying he would vote Against the BUI. ' The question for the third reading as against the amendment was put* and on a division there voted— -ayes, 48 ; noes, 20 Division list : — Ayes : Messrs. Allwright, Andrews, Atkinson, Bainj Barton, Beetham, Bowen, Brandon, Brown, Bunny, Dick, Driver, J. B. Fiaher (Bulleu)/ J. T. Fi-her (Heathcote), Fox ? Fulton, Hall, Hirst (Wallace), Hutchison, 'Johnson, Jones, Keopyi Levin, Mwaaclrew, M<K?«ush*n,

McDonald, Montgomery, Hurray, Oliver, Pyke, Kolleston, Snunders, Seymour, Shanks, Shrimnki, Stevens, Stewart, Studholme, Sutton, Swanson, Thomson, ' Trimble, Turnbull, Waken>ld, .Wallis, WU taker, 'Whyte 1 , Wright'. Noes:' Ballance, Collins, George, Gibbs, Gis-, borne, Hamlin, Harris, Hurst, Hursthouse, Levestam, Lundon, Pitt, Reid,, Russell, Seddon, Sheehan, Shepherd, ' Speight, Tole, Weston. Pairs : For : , DeLaittour, Finn, McLean, Richardson. Against : Ormond, Reeves, Moss, Grey. A second division on the third reading — Ayes, 48 ; noes, 10. On the question being put, " That the bill do now pass," Mr Seddon moved an addition of the words "provided it shall have no force or effect until after the next general election." The Speaker ruled that this was substantially the same as already negatived. Mr Seddon spoke on the question that the Bill do now pass. Mr Jiheehan and Leve«tatn also spoke on the satne question. Mo Hursthouse, in a few remarks, said, although circumstances might compel him at times to vote, as on this occasion, with Sir G-. Grey, he never could bring himself to believe in his oinceiit.y. Hia speech that night had been totally ati variance with his action while head of the Government. ' '

YESTERDAY'S SITTING* Wellington-, Last Night. The House re-assembled at 2.30. Questions. Replying to questions put it was stated that a revised scale of fees for the Resident Magistrate's Court was under consideration, and would shortly be published. —Government had not yet decided the form in which the sum of £10,000 on the Estimates for volunteering purposes should be distributed, whether by capitation or allowance for clothing. Liberty of the Press. A bill for further extending and securing the liberty of the Preaa was introduced by Mr Sheehan and read a first time. , Bills Advanced. The Crown Suits and Parliamentary Privileges Bills were passed through Committee, the former being read a third time and passed. Business of the Session. Mr Moss desired to know the order of business for the remainder of the session, adding that in view of the unsatisfactory relations existing becween the chair and a number of members they wished the Estimates passed at once, and then important bills left to be dealt with by aaother Parliament. Mr Hall said that the business would be arranged in order to push it through with all despatch consistent with the i duty they owed the country. He repro- i bated the imputation cast upon the nonduct of the Speaker. Post-office Bill. The Post-office Bill passed through committee and was reported. The House adjourned at 5.30.