PARLIAMENTARY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5162, 26 August 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, August 23— (Continued). . -^ - Shortly before 10 p.m., Mr Stout pro- fceeded to reply to the various argumenta urged against the Electoral BUI. He regarded the property qualification as the ■ only means of preventing the disf ranchiseraent of property holders who had to move from place to place, or who went on a visit to England for a term. The residen-tial-clause would excuse these if they were away for six months. . Indirectly, property qualification would tend to split up large estates by encouraging the acquirement of small , holdings. Only one avenue to franchise would not have been desirable, as not opening the doorwid^' enough, but if anything more free were given it would enable a horde of men to come from an adjoining, colony to vote. The bill was the only one which would give a man a vote without asking for property qualification. In this matter Go- . J vernment did not go too far, but \ went hand in hand with public opinion. He defended the proposal to give persona votes in different districts. No harm could arise from, the woman franchise, because the question had been tested in school boards and municipal , institutions! The ballot papers must be numbered, otherwise there was nothing to prevenfrpeople voting at every booth in a place. Public opinion justified the special vote to the Maoris. If the Maoris were equally represented with the Europeans it would result in the Maoris sending eight or nine members to the House. He contended that the Government had fulfilled their promises, and claimed that they were proposing to deal with the questions of judicature, finance, and representation — questions .of "far greater import than any other Government had ever attempted to deal within a thoroughly comprehensive manner, * while the late Government had said that nothing but political rest was required $ in fact that they had nothing to do. The Government had set before the colony its aims, and would endeavor to carry out those aims"slowly and surely, like Gladstone, Bright and Oobden had done in England. The bill was read a second time on the voices. The Bribery Bill was read a second time. The Marton Annuity Bill passed. A very long discussion ensued in oot/f mittee on the 3rd clause of the Savings^ Banks Profit Bill, the effect of which is that when a Savings Bank has. by investment of deposits realised profit exceeding the sum of £1000 the trustees may declare that any portion of such profits in excess of £1000 shall be paid over to any institution or institutions. A number of the members protested against the proposal as unfair to the depositors, and likely to lead to malpractices. Mr Whitaker moved that the words "ten per cent, on profits,", instead of a fixed sum be inserted. After a long discussion it was moved that^ 7£ be inserted for ten, but it was negatived and Mr Whitaker's amendment was agreed • to. Objection was taken by Mr Swanson and Mr Macfarlane to making the bill apply generally. If it emanated from Otago, he said, then make it to Otago only. A new clause was accordingly added, restricting the bill to Otago. " It was then reported with amendments. The House adjourned at 1.35 a.m.