THE REPRESENTATION BILL IN THE UPPER HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 60, 9 September 1881, Page 2

THE REPRESENTATION BILL IN THE UPPER HOUSE.

The second reading of this bill was movedby the Attorney- General (Hon. Mr. Whifcaker) yesterday afternoon in the Legislative Council. In a Bpeech, which lasted for nearly an hour, the hon. gentleman described the object of the measure and its various, provisions. He pointed out that the system of representation had not been meddled with for something like six years, though several bills— none of which had, however, passed — had been brought in with a view to adjust tho system. Owing to the many changes which had occurred during the past few years, a great number of anomalies existed at the present time. Tho Representation Bill, he said, would put the various constitueneiea throughout the colony on a reasonable footing of equality. No doubt, considerable difficulties existed as to what bhould be the basis of apportioning tho representation of the colony, and it had been said that something beside the basis of population was required. In other countries, however, that bans had been chosen, and he" (Mr. Whitaker) had never heard any others basis proposed which was so reasonable and'

jast. Ho hoped the second reading of the measure would be agreed to. Mr. Chamberlain spoke next. He opposed the bill. He considered that tho manner in which the Government had forced the measure thrmiLh "another place" was calculated to create a bitter feehng against them throughout t c country, and that this feeling would re-»ult in the return of many opponents of the Government, and thus lead to their defeat, which ho would regret. He opposed the measure because the people had not been consulted in regard to it— which was to bo regretted, seeing the general elections were so close at hand— ako because he believed the electoral districts had been manipulated for political purposes, and, further, because while professing to provide representation on the basis of population, it excluded tho Maori population. As an amendment, he moved " That the bill bo not read a second time till the next meeting of Parliament." Mr. N gat at a also spoke agakmt the bill, but advocated that the Maori representation should remain as at present, such being likely to afford the greatest satisfaction to that race. He was succeeded by Mr. Waterhouse, who, although expressing his disapprobation of the measure, said he would not oppose its passage, seeing that it had been agreed to by a majority of the other Chamber, whoso interests it directly and exclusively affected. Ho condemned it because it proposed that the Maoris and Europeans should be placed on different electoral footings, and also because he felt euro it would tend to sever the unity of the colony. He entered into the details of the measure at considerable length, and repeated many of the familiar objections which have been urged against it, and which, therefore, need not be reported. At this stage it was proposed that the debate be adjourned till another day. Several hon. members opposed tho proposition, advocating a continuation of the debate till midnight. Ultimately, however, it was decided to adjourn tt c debate till the following afternoon, and at five minutes to 5 o'clock the Council rose.