HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 265, 23 June 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, June 21. NEW BILL. The Education Districts Bill (Dick) was introduced and read a first time. NEW LOAN. Mr. Ban-on, in a brief speech, moved, That in the opinion of this House auy proposal for the increase of the public debt of the colony by further borrowing should be submitted to the electors, and receive the approval of three-fifths of their number, before being finally sanctioned by the Legislature. — Mr. Hursthouse seconded the amendment. He and his Nelson colleagues were returned pledged to oppose further borrowing. — Mr. Fergus opposed the motion, and contended that many railways were now not paying which , if carried on to completion, would pay upwards of 5 per cent., directly and indirectly. — Mr. Smith regretted that the arrangement by which districts getting public works were bouud to make good any deficiency in the working expenses had not been carried out. — Mr. Sutton opposed the motion, contending that to obtain the vote of three-fifths of the electors would be impracticable. — Major Atkinson argued that this was an attempt to strike a blow at representative government. If they relegated this question to the electors, why not refer every other question, and in that way their functions as representatives would be wholly superseded. If representative institutions were to be weakened, it ought to have been attempted in a direct manner, and not, as in this instance, on a third-rate question. — Mr. Barron, in reply, said that, as a question of finance, it was a first and not a thirdrate question. There were railway works which ought to be completed, as in the case of the Waikato-Taranaki line, but these lines could be provided for out of the lands through which they passed. — The House divided — Ayes, 25 ; Noes, 44. The motion was negatived. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. Mr. Hutchison moved, " That an address be presented to the Governor, praying that JSIOOO be divided amongst the education boards for encouraging technical education by means of night schools or otherwise, and for the establishment and encouragement of female classes for sewing and cookery. — The motion was discussed and carried. THURSDAY, JUNE 22. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions, the Government stated they might, before the end of the session, be able to give some information as to filling up the vacant seat in the Cabinet. — The Government did not intend to introduce a payment of Members bill unless tho House expressly wished them to do so. NEW BILLS. Several Bills were introduced. — A, long discussion took place on the Otago Harbor Borrowing Bill, which was eventually interrupted by the dinner adjournment. — Mr. Steward moved the second reading of the Small Birds Nuisauce Bill, which was supported by Rolleston, Dobson. Stevens, O'Callaghau, Hursthouse, Pearson, and J. McKenzie. — Mr. Shrimski objected to the rating clauses of the Bill, which was read a second time. — Mr. W. Green's Eight Hours Bill was considering in committee. After some discussion, the Bill was amended 'so as to make it simply affirmatory of the principle ; and was reported as amended. — Mr. Westou moved I the second reading of the Offences Against the Persons Bill, which provides flogging for certain offences. — A long debate ensued. — Messrs. Hutchison, Hursthouse, Moss, Turnbxill, Levestam, Fish, Holmes, and Sir Geo. Grey opposed the Bill as unnecessarily severe aud extending the use of a degrading punishment. — Messrs. Rolleston, W. Green, Trimble, Peacock, and Fulton supported the Bill as likely to effectually put down larrakinism, and punish a serious and growing class of offences. — On division, the Bill was read a second time by 47 to 22. — Sir G. Grey moved the committal of the Oaths aud Affirmations Bill. — Hon. Mr. Dick said the Government had now introduced a Bill in the Legislative Council, and he hoped Sir G. Grey would withdraw his. — Mr. Barron pointed out that Sir G. Grey had carried this Bill last year through the House, and it was unfair now to ask him to abandon it. — Major Atkinson said the Government showed their approval of the principle of the Bill by introducing one similar in tho Council. If this Bill passed, the Couucil would reject it, as they had already passed one of like purport, which had precedence. — Mr Turnbull said the affair showed that Sir G. Grey's boast, that he dragged the Government at his chariot wheels, was no empty one. Ho had really carried on the Government for the last four years, and could afford to now let the Government father his Bill. — Sir George Grey said he cared not which Bill passed, but he would not withdraw his, as a question of privilege was involved. His Bill was read a first time before the other Bill was introduced in the Council. If the Council could initiate such a measure in such a way, the privileges of the House would be seriously impaired. — The motion for going into committee was carried on the voices, aud in committee several amendments were made, and the Bill reported. The House rose at one o'clock.