HOUSE OF REPRESENTSTIVES.

Bush Advocate, Volume IX, Issue 668, 27 August 1892, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTSTIVES.

Fhiday, August 26. The House mot at 2.30. The whole of the nfternaon was spent in considering tho West Coast Settlements Reserves Bill in Committee. It went through without material amendment and was road a third time and passed. Evening Sitting. The House resumod at 7.30. The Electoral Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 105, ' voter to be alone when making up ballot paper.' Mr Saunders moved an amendment, of which he had previously given notice, with respect to elections on tho Hare system for city constituencies. Mr Ballance opposed the proposal, and contended that if it were adopted the whole Election Bill would havo to be romodGlled. He said ho had never known a caso in which the Hare system was carried out successfully. Mr Eolleston snid that the argument that the -bill would have to be remodelled was no argument at all. He should not regret much if the bill was dropped altogether. As for Mr Saunders' amendment, he was inclined to think it was an improvement on the Bill. After a lengthy discussion the amendment was lost by 35 to 29. Clause 107, ' number of votes to be given by each voter.' Mr Moore moved to strike out this clause, as ho disapproved of amalgamated electorates. Mr Eolleston thought the Government should accept the discussion on this clause as an indication whether or not tho committee wished to adopt single electorates in cities instead of tho amalgamated system. Mr Ballance saw no reasonwhy they should change to single electorates. If such change were made the question of the. quota between town and country would have to be considered, and if the clause were thrown out it meant the destruction of the Electoral Bill. Altogether he hoped the clause would be passed, leaving the question of single electorates to be considered next session when the Representation Bill would be brought in. After an exhaustive discussion Mr Moore's motion was lost by 35 to 25, the clause being sanctioned. Clause 152, ' qualification of Maori electors,' was altered to provide that every Maori should be entitled to vote instead of every malo Maori. Clause 155, existing Maori districts in force, Dr Newman moved to amend the clause to the effect that the representation commissioners divide the four Maori electorates. The motion was lost by 35 to 10. No amendments of any consequence .were made in the remaining clauses. Progress was reported, and tho House rose at 2.25 a.m.