REPRESENTATION BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 179, 30 July 1889, Page 8

REPRESENTATION BILL.

LATER-

TO-DAY'S SITTING.

HOLDING THE FORT.

WILD RUMOURS OF COMPROMISE

Wellinc4Ton, this afternoon,

Mr Allen was the firsb speaker on the House meeting this morning, and he held the floor until the lunch adjournment was taken at one o'clock.

Many wild proposals of compromises, etc., have been flying round lately, bub bhe mosb astounding ia bhab Parliamenb should pass an Act giving bhem power bo sib for five yeara instead of the three ib was elected for. This has been moobed for several days, and I hear one member has been lobbying in favour of it, bub bhe amount of upporb accorded bhe proposal does not appear to have been large.

There seems to be a general impression that the Representation Bill will be committed some time this evening. We may then expecb 6ome peculiar developments owing to the various interests coming into conflict. Some town members are for the amalgamation of city electorates and some against, a few for and many against the return to 91 members. The country party are split on the latter question, and are ab variance on the question of the inclusion of boroughs and small towns in the advantage given by the quota.

During the progress of the town meeting yesterday Mr Izard stated that although he would do all in his power to assist the city party by voting and speaking in the House and in Committee, he was pledged as a matter of conscience against stonewalling, otherwise .he would do all he could.

It has been announced thab Mr Verrall, who yesterday left the country party, has returned to their fold on finding that the town party could nob assist him in getting a return to 91 members.

When the Bill reaches Committee Sir Geo. Grey will move the following amendments. He says he is for reduction ot members still further than at present, but is willing that the question should again go to the country if thereby he can gain the abolition plural voting : "That no elector shall after the passing of this Act vote in respect of more than one electorate at any election of members of the House of Representatives. " '' That the Representation Acts Amendment Act, 1887, is hereby repealed and tho provisions of the Representation Act, 1887, which were repealed by tho Representation Acts Amendment Act, 1887, are hereby re-enacted.' "That a dissolution of the General Assembly shall take place on or before the day oi August next."

The country manifesto should be a very comprehensive document, judging from the care being taken over its compilation. It was drafted yesterday evening, but this morning the I'remier and Sir John Hall almost complctly recast it. The document is not ready for publication yet.