PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2405, 8 December 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Inv TKJ.KGK.M’M. -i'KK-S AVKDNKSDAV. The Council met at 2 20 jmii. HONOR M.iTM. Dr Pou.kn, in iiiMvinij a m-*ti"n t* th»* effect that the c-.ncur with th«* linos iu nny r**dncti"!i nf th<» to UM'in))'T- which shall maintain tin* m-ju* ality of treatment between the two Cham h»*i« sairi the country did not desire the induction. Sir K Whitaker said the country dcmanded a induction fr..m tlie < Joveni'-r to the junior ne'-.-enp-r in the service, and he warned the Council m-t to run counter t<» the popular demand. After a di-cus-Mn the d**hate on the motion wa< adjourned. The Council adjourned till T.oO. j).m.

HOUSE OF REPOESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY. The House met at 11 a.n . AIUotn.VMENT. Major Atkinson .said that after the last night's vote he intended to ask the House to adjourn until 2.:i0 p.m., when he would make a statement. The House adjourned at 11.a a.in. The House resumed at 2.50 p.m. HILLS INTIiOlllTKl). Major Atkinson introduced the Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers Land Bill, and the Crown and Native Lands Rating Act Repeal Bill. mo'.u: waste ok time. Sir -I. Vogel presumed that Major Atkinson would make a statement as to the course of business for the rest of the session, but before doing so he should like to know what opportunity would be afforded him of moving the resolutions he had placed on the t Irder Paper. He referred at some length to the question asked by the member for Marsden, who ho thought must have been put up to it. He declared Unit an article in an Auckland paper, and expressions used last night went far beyond anything he. had said, and had not been checked. He thought the resolution passed by the House relating to himself should lie cancelled. He should like to ask if the (ojvennuent woidd give him any facilities for moving his resolutions. Major Atkinson said he should give no facilities whatever. Sir J. Vogel then threw on the Premier the responsibility for any action he might be compelled to take in the matter. REI'ItESKNIATION KILL. Major Atkinson said it would be within the recollection of the House that the (loverninent thought it necessary to report progress on the Representation Bill on the previous night. They had since come to the conclusion to ask the House to again go into committee on the Bill, and to pass it through all its stages. They would even ask the House to recommit the Bill for the purpose of altering clause 2. The House went into committee for further consideration of the Repre-enlation Bill, clause 2, providing for seventy members, including three Maori members. Major Atkinson said he proposed to make the total number of members, seventyfour, that is 70 Europeans and 4 native members, if the lions.! would agree to that, he should be prepared to move it at once.

Mr Reeves (St Albans) asked whether his amendment to make the numberß4c<>uld not be pul first. A lengthy discussion followed, during which Major Atkinson complained that Sir .T. Vogel had been for the last two days delaying tie progress of the Hill. Sir Julius Vogel prote-tei against the arrogance of the Premier, and said if such accusations were m ule his side of the Mouse would otter red obstruction to the Bill. Major Atkinson said the lion, gentleman should come out in ids true colours, and let the House and country see what he meant. Sir J. Vogel then continued speaking on the clause. Mr Turnbull Imped the Premier and the leader of the Opposition would cease their arguments and allow the clause to be put. Mr Seddon moved a further amendment that the Hill should not cone into force till after the census was taken. The Premier opposed the amendment. Lost by P) to 2«. Mr Peeves’ amendment to fix the number of members at 84, was then put and lost by .11 to 20. Major Atkinson moved to fix the number at “4. Carried by -40 to 20. Major Atkinson moved to fix the number of Maori members at 4 instead of 3. Carried on the voices. Mr Walker moved an addition to the clause, that town constituencies shall have a larger quota than country constituencies. He explained that bis amendments referred only to the four large cities. Major Atkinson Imped the committee would reject the amendment as it was not desirable to open up this question on the present Hill. The amendment was withdrawn. Clause 3: Tim CommissK ■iiers to give effect to the Representation Act and this Act.

Mr Seddon moved that the quota of the country districts be 2o per cent, instead of IS per cent. Major Atkinson opposed the amendment. The debate was interrupted by the -a.SO adjournment. The Committee resumed at 7-SO. The amendment re quota for country districts was lost by 47 to 14. Mr Seddon moved that the Act have no force until the electoral boundaries have been dotined. Lost. Mr Seddon moved that the chairman leave the chair. Lost on the voices. Clause 2 as amended passed. On clause 3 Mr Levestam moved that the colony be divided into 70 electoral districts. In reply to Mr Walker, Major Atkinson said the Covernment only wished to affirm the principle of reduction, and stated other matters pertaining thereto would be dealt with in a Bill to be brought down next session. The amendment was lost by 54 to 13. Dr. Fitchett moved that six months from the passing of the Act the Commissioners shall report upon the names of the new districts. Lost by 43 to 25. Mr Seddon moved, as a proviso to clause 3, that the quota in mining districts should be 23 per cent. Lost by 44 to 9. Mr Seddon moved the priviso to the effect that the Act should not apply to Westport or Xelson, Taranaki and Marlborough, and that these districts return the same number of members as at present. Lost by 4(i to 6. (Left sitting.)