BRYCE PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1760, 22 June 1886, Page 3

BRYCE PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

There was but a small attendance at the meeting of the Parliamentary Union on Friday evening, but the proceedings were unusually interesting. Mr G. Barclay being about to leaye the district, tendered his resignation as Clerk to the House, which, on the motion of the Premier, seconded by Mr H. White, was accepted with much regret. It was resolved that Mr H. G. Nevill be appointed Clerk, vice Mr Barclay. Mr A. W. Grant moved, according to notice, •' That manhood suffrage as it obtains in New Zealand, and in the existing state of society, is an unmitigated evil, is inimical to fair representation, and ought to be abolished, or at any rate held in abeyance till the millenium." Mr Grant said that although he had resided in many different portions of the Empire, he had never been brought into contact with democracy in its most pronounced form until he came to New Zealand, and the more he saw of it, the less he liked it. He contended that that outcome of democratic principle manhood suffrage placed all men upon an equality so far as voting power waa concerned, which was manifestly wrong. They were not equal. From their birth there were striking differences in power and capacity which as the individual grew and developed became much more apparent, and although sometimes modified by surrounding circumstances, determined very much his position in the social scale. Manhood suffrage also required that every man should have an equal stake in the country, which was not the case. Manhood snffrage was also most emphatically class representation. Working men and men having little or any stake in the country were in the immense majority, and if they chose, could swamp every other interest. He contended that for these and many other reasons manhood suffrage ought to be abolished. It was not for him then to say what he would give in its place. He would have it done away with until the millenium. In that happy period manhood suffrage, democracy, and republicanism would be all cast into oblivion, a grand universal monarchy would be established, when God would reign as king over all. He did not expect hia motion would be carried — would be surprised if it were supported at all— but he would atill hold to his opinions, and though he were told, as Luther was, that all the world was againet him, he would reply, as Luther did, that he was against all the world. Mr R. Murray seconded the motion. He thought it was time for the " mobocracy " to be abolished. Mr H. White agreed with the mover with regard to manhood suffrage to a certain extent, but did not go the whole length with him. The Premier Bald the subject was one of great difficulty. Laws had to be made to govern men and also to govern property. Property had a right to a say in the making of laws for its own governance, and men a right to a voice in the laws governing themselves. All property was subject to taxes ; there was no poll-tax in these days. Ib was scarcely right that men should have a say as to the taxation of property, who perhaps themselves had no property to be taxed. It was like an interested party sitting in judgment upon an opponent. He agreed with the mover of the motion that electors should have some stake in the country, but he did not agree with all that he advanced. He considered it advisable that a property basis should be agreed upon, and thought that the qualification should be so much freehold or leasehold land. That, however, would be unfair to many, and he would add to it a lodger's qualification. Although not agreeing with all the sentiments of the mover, he should vote for the motion to show his appreciation of the principle. Several members, among them Mr J. Gibb, Mr J. Jobnstone, and others, spoke strongly against the motion, aod urged that it was retrogressive. Mr Grant having replied, a division waa taken, which resulted in the motion being carried by a majority of one. The Addres3-in-Reply waa read, and the Premier having announced that the debate thereon would take place at next meeting, the House adjourned.