Redistribution of Seats Question.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5288, 3 August 1888, Page 2

Redistribution of Seats Question.

AN ABORTIVE NO-CONFIDENCE

MOTION.

[rAHLIAMENTARY BEI'OBTEK.J

Wellington, Last night,

Quito unexpectedly the House was plunged into a no-confidence motion this evening: by a proposal tabled by Mr Walker providing: that tho coming into operation of the new Representation Act be deferred till a fresh census is taken. The member for Ashbnrton, who mado his proposal an amendment on going into Supply, kept his intentions very dark, and that his action was not the result of consultation with the bulk of his party was shown in the course of tho debato by several Oppositionists, who reprobated what had been done. There was every indication of a eollapso of the debate almost at its inception, for after Messrs Turnbull, Taylor, and Verrall had declared thomselves hostile to the amendment, its fate was determined, and a division was about to bo taken, when Mr Fish rose and spoke' with the zeal of a recent convert, and the flame was fanned into a vigorous debate. I append a brief account of the proceedings. Mr Walkor said his amendment affirmed the desirableness of deferring the operation of tho Beprosentation Act, ISB7 (which reduces the number of members to 72 after tho expiry of the preaont Parliament), until after a census had been taken. Ho pointed out that the Government had shown a willingness to agree to compromises regarding , several of tlioir policy measures, and he tliLi-eforp urged that the Representation Act should bo revised so as to bring it in accord with the deliberations of tho House in Juno, 1887. These wore that there should be an automatic means of redistributing the seats, which would avoid the periodical wrangles on tho floor of tho House, and also that there was no more fitting time for tho readjustment than after a census. He asked that the principle should bo definitely affirmed, and the panic legislation of last year be abandoned. Perhaps the proper way of doing so would bo by a bill repealing the existing Act, but ho had no desire to interfere with tho reduction of tho number of members. Last year the Premier indicated that tho reduction in numbers was only part of nn extensive reform of the electoral law, but all that the Government had done was to bring down an Electoral Bill, which really touohed only a portion of tho subject, and which was useful in distracting attention for a fortnight from the unprepared state of the Government for business, but it was then dropped. The principle of tho original Act was that representation should be reconsidered and redistributed only after a census. When it was being considered in committee an amendment was carried by a majority of five, on the motion of Mr Downio Stewart, which suspended operation of tho Act until October, 1880. It was truo that Ministers succeeded in reversing that vote, but it was done only on the consideration that at that time a change of Government was not desirable. Now, however, the situation was different. All ho asked was that the House should agnin affirm the principle combined in the Act broueht down by tho last Government, and that, after ascertaining the population by means of a census, there should be a re-casting of constituencies. The Premier said ho was glad the hon. gentleman had at last decided to try conclusions with the Government. (Cheers). He had stated over and over again that the Government had dono a great deal for tho country, yet ho wanted to displace them. The Government had reasons to complain of the lion, gentleman's action in not giving notice of what was certainly a no-confidenco motion. He attributed to tho hon. gentleman and his friends low cunning in having got tho tariff through, and thon bringing down his no-confidence motion. A report indeed had stated that the Promier was to be asked to dismiss two of his colleagues, and tako in Mr Walker and another. (Laughter). Tho effect of tho motion was to ask that the next Parliament should be elected on the larger number of members because the next census would not be taken before 1891, and the motion said nothing about taking another in tho meantime. The course of the Government was perfectly clear. They must, and would, accept, tho amendment as a challenge, and would accept tho consequences whatever they might bo. What would the country say when it found that tho members' ardour for retrenchment was so far cooled that they were aiixiouit to keep the extra twenty seats ? If Mr Walker had been in earnest ho would have included in the amendment a request that a census be taken immediately. As both sides had probably mado up their minds, tho House should get to the vote at once and not delay important business. If the amendment wero curried tho Government would have to resign or have Parliament dissolved, and tho new election take place tinder the existing Act reducing the numbor of members to 7-1. He asked the House to oorno to tho vote as early as possible, and decide which party was to govern the conn try. Messrs Turnbull and Taylor considered the amendment to be a side movo, and one of no great consequence, and the'reforo intimated their intention of opposing it. Mr Verrall saw no uso in continually changing the captain of tho ship.

Mr Fish spoko at i-oino length in opposition to tho amendment, which ho described as being in bad taste and savoring of ingratitude.

The Hon. Mr Balhinco .saw no reason for the indignation of the Premier and of tho speaker. Ho wits not iv favor of a reduction of the number of members, and he argued that the country had not declared directly its desiro for a reduction. A sparsely settled country needed extended representation, und lie predicted that ere long the colony would have reason to regret the reduction in the numbor of members.

Mr Samuel supported the amendment, and asked members to consider the matter as one of priuciple, irrespective of the attitude of the Government on one hand, or of the charges of greed for office on the other.

Mr Allen objected to the re-opening of the question, whioh was decided by the present Parliament last session, and contended that tho country had distinctly declared in favor of the reduction of tho number of members. Ho characterised the motion ac an absurd one, and one that was technically bad, inasmuch as it tended to split up both parties. Mr Seddoti spoke at length in support of the amendment.

Mr Moss denounced the reduction of the number of members aa a party movo on tho part of tho Government. After reviewing at length the financial policy of the Ministry ho said ho could not possibly httvo any confidence iv them. Ho would support tho amendment, and ho held that the Premier was bound by every consideration of honor not to tako any unfair advantage of tho position given to him by tho Act of last session.

Mr Marohant paid that if any prominent Free Trader had moved a no-eonndeueo motion he would have supported it, but he must opposo the present amendment, as ho could not expect to see a stable Government placed on the benches if it wero carried.

Mr J. Mackenzio supported the Government, but expressod tho desiro that tho House should again havo an importunity of discussing tho question of quota. Major Jackson took it that to affirm the amondroent would bo to negative a decision come to by tho .House last session. He must, therefore, support going into Supply, Mr R. Beeves charged the Premier with threatening a dissolution in the event of the amendment being carriod, but tho object of the member for Ashburton was to get tho House to affirm that ho general eloction should take place till after a fresh census was taken. That being so, ho must vote for the amendment.

Mr Hutchison said the Premier had put a wrong construction on the amendment.

The question was then put that the words " That the Speaker leave the chair in order that tho House may go into Committee of Supply" stand part of the question. Ayes, 11 ; noes, 20. The amendment was thus negatived. The following is tho division list:—

Apis, 41. Allen Lawry Atkinson Mackenzie, T. liarron Marchaut Bruce Moat Buchanan Monk Carroll O'Oonor Cowan Pnrata Fergus Peacock Fisher Richardson, Gr. F. Fish (Mataura) Fulron Roes Goldio Seymour Graham Stewart, W. I). Hall Taiwhangu Hamlin Tanner Hjsiop Taylor H.obbs Thompson, R, Hodgkiusoii Thompspn, T, Izard Turnbull Jackson Withy Jones Verra'll Nokb, 20. Ballanco Lovestam Cadman M'Gregor Dlineun. M'Kenjsie, J. Feldwick Moi « Fjtchott TJkc Grimmouri Kiehardson, li. Guinness Samuel Hutclu'son Seddou Joyce Smith Kelly Walker I'AIIJS. Ayes. Nous. Mills Grey Rhodes Reeves, W. P. Valentine Fitzberbort Audcrson Hooves, R. 11. Beotham Lance Goldie Smith Steward, W. J. Duncan Mitcholsou Mackenzie, Scobio Dodson Brown Whyte Kerr Rufisell Macarthnr Ormond Mcntcath