HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2515, 23 August 1888, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY. The House met at 2.30. The Hun. Mr Hislop moved that the Hon. F. M. Haultain be nominated to fill the vacancy on the representation commission. Mr McArthnr moved an amendment, that in the opinion "f the House, it is undesirable to fill up the vacancy until the question of the adjustment of the quota has been dealt with. He. reminded the Premier he bad promised the question of tho quota should be dealt with this year. Mr Hutchinson referred at some length to the careless ma unci in which the Representation Act had boon drafted, and pointed out the Act stipulated the number of members should remain at 95 until the General Assembly was dissolved. Under the Interpretation Act. the Assembly was defined as consisting of the Governor and two chambers, and it would need a new Constitution Act to dissolve it. What the Act really meant was until the House of Representatives had been dissolved, but as it stood the number of members must remain at 1)5. Hon. Mr Hislop said if a lengthy debate was going to arise the Government would prefer to have tho matter adjourned. If there was anything in the point raised by Mr Hutchinson a Bid could bo brought in to remedy it. Mr Samuel thought it was a very interesting point, and ought to be looked into without delay. Mr Seddon also supported the amendment. Mr Fish thought Mr Hutchinson s point very important. After further discussion the Premier said he was taken by surprise at Mr Maoartlmr's amendment. Ho thought there was nothing in the contention, and that it would be difficult to frame any Bill in winch a flaw would not be found by that Rentlemau, but he would have the matter looked into carefully. He was quite prepared to deal with the whole question of the electoral law this session if members would consent. If the House choose to agree with the amendment, he would accept it at onee. Mr Walker asked who but the leader of the House was responsible for the Electoral Bill not being passed this session ? Mr Moss said there were plenty of members willing to remain, who were not satisfied to leave the affairs of the country as they now stood. Mr Stewart thought the Representation Act was rightly drawn up as it stood. Tho amendment was then agreed to on the voices. The Justices of the Peace Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr Mitcbelsnn moved the second reading of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill. Mr E. Richardson took exception to this, as the Bill proposed to confer dangerous power on the Government. Mr Fish thought it unwise of the Government to interfere too much with the functions of local bodies. Messrs Marchant and Mackenzie, (Waihemo), took exception to some provisions of the Bill. Mr Reeves, (St. Albans), said the clause providing penalties for tho non-extirpation of gorse and briars would be ruinous to many people. Mr Blake concurred, and Messrs Kelly ana Allen hoped the Bill would be withdrawn. Mr Walker objected to the measure because it sought to amend all Acts relating to local bodies. Mr Ward strongly opposed Clause 10, and moved the Bill be read a second time that day two months. Mr O'Callaghan thought there wore some good points in the Bill, and that Ministers should tell the House which were urgent clauses, and then the rest could be struck out. Hon. Mr Mitchelson said he would defer the committal of the measure till ho had ascertained which were the really necessary portions of the Bill. Mr Ward then withdrew his amendment, and the second reading was carried on the voices.

The Premier moved the second reading of the Harbour Act Amentment Bill. Ho thought the House should have full warning, as these bodies would be in default to foreign creditors. Such things would cause public scandal, which ought to be avoided if possible. He also confessed that he did not like the look of some of the larger Boards. He concluded by warning the House if they rejected the Bill they must be prepared to find the whole of the liabilities of these Boards cast on the colony. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Bruce said tho Premier had not advanced one valid reason why tho Bill should become law. No where in New Zealand had there been such reckless, unwarrantable and discreditable waste of money as at New Plymouth. He went on to speak strongly at some length against the Harbour works and the vicious principle of borrowing to pay interest-. A sharp debate ensued on the Bill and the position of the Harbour Board and settlers at Now Plymouth. (Left sitting,)