A DRAINAGE BILL

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1922, Page 11

A DRAINAGE BILL

-■■■■■'',■'■'■:■ '-•. ,: i ■*■.■■■■,■.■■■••. .■■■■'■■):.'- '.■■■-.1. 5, OFIiIPORTANCE TO GOUNTRY •/.■;.;•.••, ■■• ■':;DisTßicTs.r;.;;:;^.:;: : „ Two Minister* of .the, House of Representatives Vifeve found to be at variance last night when 'the Minister of Internal Affairs : (the i Hon. -i. W.; Downie Stewart) moved the 'second reading >of the Land Diuinage i Amendment •.< Bill.': : In 'the, course of .his 1 explanation of the meaßure, the Minister pointed out'that the nuniber of votes exercised by W ratepayer would be determined on a graduated scale. If by reason of the classification, a ratepayer was exempt from paying rate*, he would not be entitled to vote. The other clauses made: important' alterations and, .additions to the existing Act.; ■ The Minister of Lands (the Hon. D. H; !Guthrie) said he was sorry that h« had not hid ' time,' to study the ' pro-, visions of the Bill. He had not read,the Bill, but it'seemed to him 1 that some ratepayers would be denied the right to '.vote. :' .'.-. ',;. .'' '■ . :■',. ■ / ■'•.'■ ■■. ■■ ;.;'■ '■ ■

The Leader of the Opposition: r.'^Tt looks like it." ..! '.. '■...; .;-, ;,.'.. ;::'' ■I :. !..; ■ ; A. deb ate;'then developed between -the Minister of Lands and! the Minister of Internal, Affairs, and it was only interrupted when other members1 called out"i "Can't,hear a word." „ ... .':.-, ; v . The 'Leader of the Opposition said he would1, like to hear more: about the difference 'between tho Ministers. He expresised "the ! opinion that it, was ,remarkabje that the. Bill, should be in/the hands of .the Minieter; ot \lnternal Affairs .instead- of the Minuster of Lands. ,He asked the Minister' to explain the basis upon which the number of votes held by'individuaJ ratepayers had been arrived at. Why, should a man -whose section d|d hbtj exoeed- £1000 in 'value, have three votes, and a man whose land .wae valued at £500 one vote? , Mr. H.E, Holland (Buller) protested against the provision for plural' voting. He stood for the principle of one man,' one vote.;, ■ , . l ; ,' ■ .-' 1' Mr. W. T. Jennings said that the Bill. was of such' importance to the' country districts that it should be referred to a Special Committee for,scrutiny. ■ 1 The Prime Minister ':■, "It; will be sent to the Lands Committee." , The B3l'was read a second time and referred to the Lands Committee.