HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XVI, Issue 155, 6 July 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30.

Sir George Grey gave notice that he would move for leave to authorise a Bill to provide that each elector be restricted to the exercise of a vote m one election.

Replying to questions, it was stated that the Government had received commnnications from the Kakanui Harbor Board relative to the probable trade of the port if improved, also requesting that a Bill be passed authorising them to borrow £8000 to effect tuch improvements. After mature consideration, the Government could hold out no hope of such Bill being brought forward. A Bill was m course of preparation to enable Government to assist companies to construct and extend main lines of railway by concessions of land and otherwise. Government understood the road from Nelson to Reefton via Hampden and Lyell would be open m about a month ; when it was opened Government would see what arrangement could be made for an overland mail service by that route. An amendment would be introduced for regulating and administering native reserves, as referred to m the Governor's speech. The Timaru Harbor Board Bill (Turnbull) was introduced and read a first time.

Mr Johnston moved the second reading of the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill. A clause was m course of preparation, aud would be moved m committee, prohibiting candidates from spending money on election?, unless the same passed through the hands of a party specially appointed by Government to supervise such expenditure. The amendments from the late Imperial Act would also be introduced.

Mr Reader Wood contended that they should follow the English practice pure and simple, and prohibit aU expenses at elections. As the Bill stood it only j>imed at expenditure incurred for corrupt purposes. Mr George pointed out that the Bill as it stood opened the door for a professed friend of a candidate to commit him m such a way, bj incurring an expenditure, as to vitiate his return.

Mr_ Seymour thought the penalty of perpetual disqualification too severe.

Mr Saunders complained that the Bill, as it stood, was vastly inferior to a similar measure brought down by the Grey Government. With the new clauses promised, he was hopeful that change for the better would be wrought. Sir William Fox advocated the introduction of a clause prohibiting the opening of public houses during poll hours. Mr Shepherd woitfd approve of the Bill if assimilated to the English one. He thought paid employment of electors by candidates should be absolutely prohibited, and lie advocated the closing of public-houses while elections were proceeding. The Bill was read a second time. The Begulation of Elections Bill was further considered m Committee.

On clause 58,

Mr Georgo moved an addition to thekslause, providing that m. (he svent of a, member tak-

ing office m the Government, then such member shall return for re-election by his constuents; provided that m the case of a new ministry being formed, such re-election be not necessary.

Mr Reader Wood moved that a proviso exempting a new Ministry from re-election be struck out.

Mr Johnston opposed both proposals. The debate was interrupted by the 5-30 adjournment.

On the House resuming the discussion on Mr George's amendment on Clause 58 was continued.

Mr Beeves supported and Messrs Collins, Hall and Levastaui opposed the proposal to make members stand for re-election on taking office.

Mr Wood's proposal to omit from the amendment the words " Excepting on formation of a new ministry," was negatived on the voices, and the House divided on the original amendment, which was lost by 36 to 14. Ayes-Ballance, Delatour, J. Fisher, (Heathcote). George, Montgomery, Moss, Beeves, Shnmski, Speight, Swanson, Te Wheoro, Tole. Turnbill, Wood. Noes -Alright, Bain, Bastings, Beetham, Bowen. Bryce, Bunny, Colbeck, Collins, Fox, Gibbs, Hall, Hirst (Wallace), Hursthouse, Johnson, Levastam, Mason, McCanghan, McDonald, Murray, Bolleston, Saunders, Shanks, Shephard, Stevens, Studholme, Button. Thompson, Tomoana, Trimble, Wakelield, Wallis, Weston Whitaker, Whyte, Wright.

The Clause was passed as printed. The remaining clauses were also passed and several now ones added, and the BUI reported as amended.

The Premier announced that the Financial Statement would be made on Wednesday evening.

The Chatham Island Bill was read a second time.

The House adjourned at 9-25.