N. Z. PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1959, 10 September 1891, Page 12

N. Z. PARLIAMENT.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. In the Legislative Council to-day, tbe Public Revenues and Audit Bill was passed The Factories Bill was reported from committee, considerably amended. The motion to commit the Shop Hours Bill elicited a debate, which was adjourned until this afternoon. In the House of Representatives to-day, it was decided to agree to tbe amendments of the Council in the Book Purchasers' Protection, Lunatics, and River Boards Bills. The Electoral Bill was then considered in committee, tbe interpretation clause (to which an amendment had been moved giving the franchise to women) being postponed. The freehold qualification was dispensed with; and unless some further alteration is made, no elector ia future will be able to qualify or vote for any other than the district in which he resides. Another important alteration was made providing that instead of votes being counted at the polling booths, the ballot papers must be sealed and sent to the chief polling place— a change which means that in some districts weeks may elapse before the result of an election is known. The bill was reported from committee. A SUDDEN MOVE. The entire basis of the New Zealand political fabric was suddenly ohanged to-day, so far as the Lower House could do so, with a single leap. The last remnant of the property qualification for voting has been abolished, and residential manhood suffrage adopted as the sole electoral qualification. It happened thus: When the qualification clause came on Mr Rees moved to strike out the freehold qualification. This was negatived, tbe Opposition uniting with the majority of the Ministerial party to defeat the proposal. A more* subtle devioe was then resorted to.. Mr Rees next moved to insert a j leasehold qualification as well as freehold, and ' this was carried, several members favourable to tbe proposal voting for it on its own merits ; without stopping to reflect that by aiding to i carry it they might be endangering the more important question of freehold qualification i which the Government had still retained in the new bill. Tbe result was speedily made manifest. On the leasehold amendment being declared carried the Premier announced amid loud cheers from his own side of the House that the Government would not accept the clause as amended* and he moved that the whole subsection be struck out. This was carried by a large majority. The effect is to leave manhood residential suffrage the sole remaining qualification for voters in New Zealand. The exact position in which the qualification question is left by to-day's proceedings is this : All the words have been struck out after tbe j word " estate " in the third line of the first subsection ef clause 6, the effect of which is to leave i the subsection as follows:— "Every person of the age of 21 years or upwards having of his own right and not as a trustee of a freehold estate," and there it ends without the sentence being , finished. The subsection has thus been rendered mere nonsense, and accordingly the bill will be ! recommitted for the purpose of striking out I these few introductory words which have been | left in tbe clause. So far as present intentions go, no difficulty will be raised on the side of the Opposition party to this being done, aa it is taken for granted that the Legislative Council will intervene, and will either reinstate the excisedlsubseotion or else throw ont the whole bill. Tbe former course is deemed tthe more

1 probable, and in that case a sharp conflict between the two branches of the Legislature may be expected. AUCTIONEERS BILL. The conference of members appointed by both Houses to consider the Auctioneers Bill have agreed as to the two clauses in dispute— Noa 9 and 18. In clause 9 they recommended an alteration which shall provide that all moneys received as license or registration fees shall be paid to the fund* of the local authority of the •district in which the licensee has bis usual place of business ©r bis usual place of residence. Clause 18 has been so amended that account Bales shall be rendered within 14 days instead of seven days, and the profits accruing to the person on whoae behalf a sale has taken place must also be paid within 14 days. VOTERS IN CHARITABLE INSTII TUTIONS. During the discussion of the Electoral Bill to-night Mr Buokland spoke of the old men who are isolates of the Costley Home, Epsom, and said that in every election an attempt was made to put their names on the roll. There were about 100 very old men there, and ! many of them had, for election purposes, been induced to make false declarations to the effect that they had been for six months in the ""tact, when as a matter of fact they had not. When the polling day came, however, the custooiau of the house locked the place and refused Jj ny them oat ' BO that the matter w*s , ended. It was inadvi-able, continued Mr Buck- ! lan<3 » *° have the names of those old men on tbe roll. They could have no interest in politics, for they bad really oo interest in life, and only sat about in the sun waiting to die. Ifc was clear that their votes were merely dummy votes for tbe person who secured them first. He asked the Premier whether such men as the inmates of charitable institutions should not be disqualified from voting. Mr Baliaace replied thafe he did not think so. Mr Buckland did not move any amendment, and the discussion on the subject waß not proceeded with. THE NATIVE LAND BILL. At a meeting of Natives at the Parliamentary Buildings to consider the Native Land Bill, complaint was made that it had been brought forward at too late a period of the session The committee appointed to discuss the bill met this morning, but tbe Natives asked them to postpone consideration of the meaßur^ until tomorrow, as they would be prepared tn submit a certain resolution embodying their rights This was agreed to, as well as another application that & a ?,- ch lefsI efs <*« Natives now in WelliDgton should be allow.d to appear before the committee and make a statement. The Natives object to the great powers proposed to be given to *be Crown,' and contend that the bill virtually resfcorea to the Crown the pre-emptive right. It has been suggested that committees representing the tribes should be allowed to confer with the Native land courts, because it is claimed that the courts will have too much power as the bill now stands. This suggestion is agreed with by the Natives of the East Coast, but those of the West Coast dissent from it, as they consider that it was through such a committee that the knds of tha Gisborne and Poverty Bay Natives were hypothecated. The i resolutions getting out the objections of the Natives have been framed, and are to be placed before the committee to-morrow. AH the petitions regarding the Native Land Bill are to be referred to that committee. FACTORIES BILL. The Legislative Council to-day, on the motion of, Mr Mantell, added tbe following new clause to the Factories Bill:-" This act shall not! apply to any factory or work room which may be nndtr the control of or managed by the New Zealand Railway Commissioners."' Ib \9\ 9 anticipated that the labour members in the House of- Representatives will objecb strongly to this amendment, and that some trouble may result from its insertion; but the Council appears determined to insist upon it, and will be sopported by a considerable Bection of the Lower House. SHOP HOURS BILL. The fate of the Shop Hours Bill in the Council is regarded as sealed. The debate (which fook place to-day), although unfinished, went far to show that the Legislative Councillors have made up their minds not to sanction any needless or vexatious interference with the rights and liberties of individuals, and that in the opinion ' of many the bill goes so thoroughly in that ' direction as to be practically beyond amendment. The universal impression appears to be that the council will throw it out without attempting to amend ifc, and that no measure framed on similar lines will have a chance of passing through the Legislative Council as now constituted. THE MILFORD-TE ANAU ROAD. Mr T. Mackenzie to-day asked the Minister for Public Works if he is aware that the plans laid before the House indicating the projected road, Milford Sound to Lake Te Anau, show that the road, after reaching the head of Lake Ada, crosses to the eastern side of the Arthur river, and that a portion of the route above the crossing is subject to exceedingly dangerous avalanche Blips, and will the Minister obtain a report of the practicability of continuing the road along the western side of the river beyond the dangerous part. Mr Mackenzie, in speaking to the question, said that according to a return laid upon the table to his order the road was shown to traverse dangerous country on the opposite side of tbe river. He quoted from the Otago Daily Times two independent reports of avalanches occuring at the part indicated. The Minister, in reply, eaid that tbe official report showed that the dotted marks indicated where the road wonld likely go, and that the hon. member's information would be duly considered. The engineer who had already been over the country stated that faint signs of an avalanche were visible, but it must have occurred 500 years ago. Mr Maokenzie, in explanation, informed the Minister that the engineer's remarks about tbe indications were just in keeping with the usual official reports. He (Mr Maokenzie) was there in 1888 when a dreadful avalanche occurred. The whole country showed from the debris and vegetation that avalanches were of yearly occurrence on the west side of the river. Unless a reliable report is obtained from a competent person money would continue to be wasted. Mr Seddon said that careful attention would be given to what the hoB. gentleman had said. THE OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP. No regular meeting of the Opposition party has yet been held to consider the difficult question of leadership. A short informal consultation took place to-day, but only with reference to the Bryce banquet. At present the party are in some perplexity. They would choose Mr Rolleston but for his extreme views on the land question. They would choose Captain Russell but for his being a rich I landowner. On the other hand, they have *n idea that the very radicalism as to land whioh renders Mr Rolleston's leadership unacceptable to some of his side might help to popularise the party in the country, and it is also felt that to elect Captain Russell might play right into the hands of the other side, who are known to be very desirous to flee him chosen as leader,

for the simple reason that his wealth and landownership would famish a capital text on which to base inflammatory denunciations of his party — as that of the wealthy and land-owning •• classes," in fact as opposed to the " masses "—it being believed that tbe strategetic advantage thus accruing to his opponents would more than counterbalance the value of Captain Russell's acknowledged ability, popularity, and special aptitude for party leadership. The Opposition are thus somewhat on the horns of a dilemma, and it id nkely (aa I pointed out yesterday) that they must solve the problem by leaving ib to its own solution by effluxion of time— that is, by electing no leader at present (unless, perhaps, someone may be^hosen to look after tbe interests of tbe party during the recess), and waiting till next session to see if circumstaneas may have so far altered cases as to furnish sound reasons tor pitching upon one of tha gentlemen whose names have already been freely mentioned in connection with the party leadership. BILLS ASSENTED TO. The following bills, which have passed both Houses of the Legislature, have been assented to by his Excellency the Governor -—The Imprest Supply Bill, Employers' Liability Act Amendment Bill, Adulteration Prevention Acts Amendment Bill, Repeals Bill, Canterbury Society of Arts Reset ye Act Extension Bill, The New Zealand Bank Bill, Consolidated Stock Bill, Marnage Act Amendment Bill, Public 5«-ii£ ow^? Bffl » Foat ttnd Telegraph Officials' Classification Bill, Truck BUI, Distilla»"n B y« trustees UiU, Christeharch Drainage Bill, and Christchuroh Electric Lighting Bill. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. The enormous increase in the quantity of Native land taken for settlement during this year is shown from the fact that while during the past four years before Mr Cadman took oflice »bout 73,000 acres were purchased, 85 009 acres have been bought by the Government since his administration began, or within the last oo V nnn mon * s V °£ oi theße 85 »°°0 acres over AMJW are in the King country, and 50,000 are along the North Trunk line at the Wellington end. Bdtweou 3000 and 4000 acres are in the Thames and Coromandel goldfields districts The average cost of the land is about 6s 0d per acre. The purchase of the Ngarara block has also just been completed. Apart from that which is in the goldfields districts, all the land is well adapted for settlement. It will be thrown open under the new land laws. THE QUARANTINE REGULATIONS. The Live Stock Committee have passed a resolution that in their opinion the proclamation by cattle boards of private premises as quarantine grounds for imported stock under the Diseased Cattle Act constitutes a grave public danger by virtually abolishing all safeguards against the introduction of disease They will probably recommend the Government to amend the Jaw so as to abolish regulations which coni * Wlt £ tb 5 gen « ral qawwrtfoe regulations, to reduce the time of quarantine so that the time occupied in the transit-of stock shall be inoluded I m the 90 days, and to lower the charges The i committee are of opinion that specialists should ' be appointed to ascertain remedies for parasites LAND BOARDS. i There is a strong and growing feeling amona members that no^nembers of the House should be allowed to sit on land boards, and that the patronage ought to be taken out of the hands of any Ministry, land boards instead being mad© elective, but tbe elec'ion left in the hands of the local governing bodies, such as county councils and road boards of the respective land districts. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3. In the Legislative Council to-day the Factories Bill was passed. The Workmen's Lienßill was read a second time and referred to & Select Committee, several members condemning the principle of the measure. The Shon Hours Bill was thrown out by 21 to 8, most of the Councilors regarding it as an unwarrantable interference with theliberty of the aubject. The Selectors' Land Revaluation Bill was re^ ported from committee, and a technical amendment in the Land and Income Assessment Bill w!£l s n L°^Bm UCKLEY iQtrodQced th « The Hon. Mr STEVENS desired to disabuse the minds of; the members of the Council as to the«tatem BDt8 Dt that the late Government iotroduced a bill similar to the present one. The late Government certainly did introduce a bill but it was one entitled the Building Liens Bill which was rejected in another place. The pre* sfnt bill, he thought, required careful consideration on the part of the Council, more especially on the part of the legal members of the Conncil, before it was referred to the Labour Bills Committee. At some length he reviewed the provisions of the bill, remarking that the tendency of the measure was to do away with contracts and to compel persons building to employ day labour. He felt convinced that the provisions of the bill were such as would be calculated to deter persons from building, in fact, tho restrictions should deter the Council from passing the bill, which would inflict great hardship both on employers and workmen The Hon. Mr BOWEN thought that the bill, which' was, he admitted, a diflioult one to deal with, should be referred to a select committee In his opinion it was not a Workmen's Lien Billbut one calculated to oppress small contractors, than whom no more useful citizen existed on the face of the earth. However, he hoped the bm would be sent to the committee The Hon. P. BUCKLEY having replied, the original question for the second reading was agreed to by 24 to 5, and the bill was referred to the Labour Committee. The following is the division list :— Atbs <W).-Messrs Acland, Baillie, Barnlcoat, Bowen. Buckley, Dijpro, Fulton, Hart, Holmes Johnston. Mantell, Martio, Miller, Peacock Bevnnldf, Shrlnuki. Stewart. Swanion, Talaroa. Walker Wahawaha. Whifcmore, Whyfce, Wilson. " aulor ' !Bi2a.iHteSr" Graoe> Pharazyn ' Polien ' The Selectors' Land Revaluation Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 2, "interpretation," was verbally amended. J the bill should now be the Selectors' Fair Rent Bill. The Hon. Mr MILLER, from his knowledge said that pastoral tenants had been pushed to the* wall; in fact, they were being ruined wholesale Conspiracies had been set afoot with the avowed intention of ruining these pastoral tenants and if it could be ascertained, it would be found that in Ofcago, at any rate, pastoral tenants had never obtained 5 per cent, on their capital and instead of being successful, these hard workin* men had lost their all. 8 £ The Hon. Mr SHRIMSKI pointed out that Crown tenants, notwithstanding their lossa* had applied for renewals of licenses. ' The clause as amended was agreed to l A verbal amendment was agreed to in clause Bevwal amendments having been agreed to,

In the House of Representatives to-day a batch of local bills were dealt with, tho Kaitangata and Tankitoto Lakes Bill being one of the measures. In the evening the Female Franchise Bill was considered in com- i mittee, reported, and passed. The Electoral j Bill was again committed, but progress was at once reported. The bill conferring the franchise on women has passed the House of Representatives. After the Ist of June 1893 not only will women be entitled to vote, but they will also ba qualified to hold a seat in the House, uuless, as is generally supposed, the Council intervenes and alters the bill, or rejects it altogether. A number of telegrams in favour of the passing of the bill were sent to-day to the Premier, Sir John Hall, and several members of Parliament, including one from the executive of the Liberal Association. LOCAL BILLS. The following local bills were read a second time and committed :— Tuakitoto and Kaitangata Lakes Act 1890 Amendment Bill, Thames Recreation Reserve Sale Reservoir Bill, Wellington Boys' Institute Bill, Trafalgar Park (Nelson) Bill, Wellington Botanic Garden Vesting Bill, Thorndon Esplanade Bill, New Plymouth Hospital Bill, Wanganui River Trust Bill, Greymouth Harbour Board Loan Bill. A lengthy discussion took place in committee on the Greymouth Harbour Board Loan Bill to enable the board to borrow £50,000 for harbour construction. Several members strongly opposed the bill. Mr T. M'KENZIE (Clutha) moved an amendment to reduce the amount to £30,000, but this was lost on the voices, and the clause paned without alteration. The abovementioned bills, with the exception of the Greymouth Harbour Board Bill, were read a third time and passed. THE NATIVE LAND BILL. It is considered very unlikely that the Native Land Bill will pass this session in the face of the strong opposition that will be offered to it from the Native -members, who wish to see it postponed till next year. An effort will probably be made, however, to pass a short bill in the direction of validating titles to Native laud that are at present defeotive. A RETKOGRADE STEP. The abolition of the freehold qualification by the House to-day is strongly condemned by the press of Wellington. In commenting on it the Post to-night says :—: — "The present electoral law is entirely unsatisfactory, but when alteration takes place an improvement is required, not going from bad to worse. The necessity for a new act, however, is not very urgent, as there is no immediate prospect of a dissolution, and the matter might be now very well let stand over till next session, in the hope that during the recess members may come to their senses and avoid the extremes to which they committed themselves last night. The reduction of the franchise to a purely residential one is a perfectly revolutionary step, and is fraught with manifest injustice to many classes of people. To utterly abolish rbe freehold qualification is an attempt to deprive property of all political representation, and, coupled with the principle of the new system of taxation, it will make men doubtful of the' security wbich capital will enjoy in this colony in the near future." THE CATLIN'S RIVER DEVIATION. Mr Pinker ton, the senior member for Dunedin, waited to-day on the Minister for Public Works to urge that a decision Bhould be come to without further delay re the alternative routes proposed for the Catlin's River line. He pointed out that a township had been laid off on what was, however, kuowu as the lower route, and that a " privato company's " land was shortly to be sold, so that it was desirable the question should be settled before the sale loot purchasers of land in the township should be misled. The lower route was about mile shorter, aod would cost about £2000 less, but the upper route would open up more land. The Minister promised that the district engineer, Mr Ussher, Bhould be instructed to report on matter as speedily as possible. WOMANHOOD SUFFRAGE. The statement that the Premier had agreed to the suggestion that the bill granting the franchise to womeD, if it became law, should not be given effect to until 1894 was shown to-night to have a very solid foundation, for Mr Ballance himself announced the fact to the House. The announcement was received with evident disapproval by the supporters of the measure. The Premier pointed out that the bill was not a Government measure, that the Government were not agreed upon it, and that members of the Ministry would walk into different lobbies when the time for voting came. Th« ' Premier defended the postponement on the ground that the people should have an opportunity of express* ing an opinion upon the merits of the question. Mr Reps was a strong critic of the action of the Premier, and said the House was drifting into the position that they were losing all back bone and all consistency, and sacrificing everything to expediency. He complained that Mr Fish and two or three other individuals were allowed to rule the House. Such supporters were a curse to a party. The Premier, in reply, claimed that he had done all be had promised that facilities would be given for the consideration of the bill, and he had done so in the face of enormous difficulties. The bill passed through committee to-night When one of its opponents — Mr Carncross proposed a new clause giving women the right to sit in the House, the debate on the question was very interesting and able. Mr Carncross was accused of wishing to kill the bill, and Borne of its supporters voted against the new clause on that ground. However, it was carried. Mr Ward is a supporter of womanhood suffrage. His pair against the measure recently is explained by the fact that "there was nobody voting against the measure with whom he could pair, therefore be had to appear as opposing it. When Sir John Hall was arguing to-night in favour of the franchise for women, Eome sympathiser in the Speaker's gallery called " Hear, hear," at one stage of his address. The sharp-eared custodian nearly showed him the door. MISCELLANEOUS. The Live Stock Committee have passed the Small Birds Nuisance Bill, with a proviso that looal bodies shall be allowed to levy a rate of one farthing in the pound on the rateable value of tbe property for the purposes of the act. Though the Premier accepted the amendment providing that woman suffrage should not begin until 1894, it was lost, and as tbe bill now stands it is to come into operation on June 1, 1893. The gossip goes that one member who is a supporter of the Government, but who was independent enough to vote against the second reading of the Payment of Members Bill, received so severe a wigging, not only from some of the rank and file of the party, but from members of the Ministry as well, that he has now hardly tbe temerity to call his soul his own.

Before the last election Sir John Hall says he discovered, just in time, that his name had been struck off the electoral roll in his district, and that the names of 14 other old residents had

also been removed. The member for Geraldine, Mr Rhodes, has likewise a story to tell. His is that in one important centre in his district the names of all the clergymen and schoolmasters , were struck off the roll. Mr C. H. Mills is urging the Minister for Education (1) to recotr.mend that a small sum be placed on the Supplementary Estimates to pay the bare travelling expenses of members of the various district educational institutes to the next annual meeting, to be held in Christchurch io January 1892 ; (2) to arrange a conference of inspectors, teachers, and eduoational authorities at the same placs and time to consider among other matters (a) the syllabus, (b) most suitable State school hook?, (c) uniformity of examinations by inspectors, (d) a more comprehensive mode of appointing teachers under our national system of education, (c) more regular grade of salaries, (/) establishing a teachers' relieving allowance. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4. In the Legislative Council to-day it waa decided to eit on Mondays for the remainder of the session. A batch of bills were read a first time, and some local measures passed. The debate on the second reading of the Land Bill was not concluded when the Council adjourned. AGBICULTUBAL DEPABTMENT. The Hon. Mr PHARAZYN moved—" That in the opinion of this Council the establishment of a well equipped expert agricultural department is urgently required in New Zealand, and that the futctionß of the department? should be to inform and advise cultivators on animal and vegetable enemies to cultivation in the colony, and on the best means of dealing with them." The Hon. P. BUCKLE VT said the initial cost to the State would be about £2000 or £3000. This amount, he felt sure, could not be afforded by the colony. The debate was adjourned until Tuesday. The Customs mnd Excise Duties Bill was read a third time and passed, the Hon. Dr GRACE stating that the loss to the revenue by growing tobacco here would amount to £1250 per year. THE LAND BILL. The Hon. P. BUCKLEY moved the second reading of the Land Bill, which he ventured io say was one of the most important measures which had ever engaged the attention of the Council, dealing as it did with the remaining portion of the Crown lands of the colony. The bill tended to settle yeoman farmers on the land, and if this was accomplished it would prove of incalculable benefit to the country. Each succeeding Government had, he believed, honestly endeavoured to introduce a good, sound land act, but each act had been merely of an experimental nature. It was astonishing the large exports of the colony when the comparatively small number of breadwinners was considered. A prominent American citizen yesterday assured him that New Zealand possessed a climate and soil which was no.t to be equalled in the United States of America, and he (the Colonial Secretary) fully believed him. The Colonial Secretary at some length reviewed former land laws of the colony, with a view to show that the present bill was a progressive measure. By the provisions of the bill it was proposed that power of purchase should be retained. He at some length explained the provisions of the bill, and expressed pleasure in moving the second reading. The Hon. Mr STEVENS remarked that the bill was necessarily a consolidation measure, but there were clauses which were quite new, and these deserved to ba criticised. The 81st clause made it impossible for any man to purchase for a child any land whatever from thp Crowu. It was difficult to understand why a person should not be permitted to purchase an endowment for his children, nor could a wife have a land endowment from her husband under the bill. A man purchasing land'would not be permitted to endow with land purchased from the Crown eithtr his wife or children, and if he did so be would be liable to two years imprisonment either with or without hard labour. Referring to clause* 136,, "-double improvements to be effected i by, non-resident -selectors." He remarked that the conditions were calculated to prove exceedingly oppressive. With regard to the provision contained in clauße 149, " perpetual leases," he expressed a hope -that the Council would rejeot its provisions as it had done in the past. He considered that the Council would not do its daty if it did not insist that the right of purchase should be included in connection with perpetual leases. Alluding to pastoral tenants.he submitted that some relief should be extended to this class of settlers, who, for some reason or other, had paid too much for their land Mr Stevens went on to refer to the " one-man-one-run" provision, which he thought-, if adopted, would lead to great loss to the revenue. He failed to see why there should be any limit to the number of runs a man might hold. The abolition of the purchasing clause, and the" one-man-one-run " clause were highly objectionable features in the Bill. On close scrutiny of the measure, he must say that a simple method of dealing with the State lands of the colony had yet to be discovered; He regretted these continual interferences with Land Acts which be regarded as monstrous. They interfered with the rights of the people, and retarded settlement and the prosperity of the country. The Hon. Sir G. S. WHITMORE moved to adjourn the debate to Monday, which was agreed to. AUCTIONEEBS BILL. A message read from the House announced that that chamber had agreed to the alterations in the Auctioneers Bill, and the managers' report on the Bill was then agreed to. In the Houbo of Representatives a report by the Public Accounts Committee on the subject of Dr Pollen's pension was sent back for further consideration. The committee recommended that £1339 be paid to Dr Pollen, from 3rd July 1873 to 30th October 1876. Several members protested against the payment of this money. The amendments of the Council in the Auctioneers Bill were agreed to The Electoral Bill was finally passed without the freehold qualification being restored. In the evening the Legislative Council Bill went througn committee with alterations, and was passed. The period for which nomination is to be made was reduced to seven years, and this alteration was made applicable to the members appointed by the late Government on the eve of leaving office. The Dentists Bill went through committee, and the Ofcago University Council Election Bill was under consideration when the telegraph office closed. BEPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Mills (Waimea-Pioton) The Hon. W. P. REEVES said a small sum would be placed on the Estimates to defray the actual travelling expenses of the members of various district eduoational institutes to the next annual meeting, to be held in Christchuroh in January 1892. Replying to Mr Mills, The Hon. Mr REEVES said it was desirable to hold a conference of inspectors, teachers, and educational authorities at the Christchurch meeting, but it was a matter that should be left to education boards. BLECTOBAL BILL. The Eleotoral Bill was further considered in committee, '

' Clause 7 (postponed clause), Maoris only qualified to vote under part 5. Sir JOHN HALL moved au amendment that halfcaetes in the Middle Island shall not be qualified to register for European elections. Several member opposed the amendment, and after a very lengthy discussion the amendment was lost on the voices. Mr BUICK moved a new clause to the effect that any person who supplies or causes to be supplied to any other person on polling d*y any intoxicating liquor shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £50, and not less than £5 for each offence. Sir JOHN HALL suggested that the clause should be altered, as it at present would prevent any person from supplying the members of his own family with a glass of wine on polling day. He thought the alteration should be made to make it apply to holders of licenses. The Hon. J. BALLANCE pointed out that the supplying of liquor on election day waa a corrupt practice, and, therefore, it was not necessary to legislate for it. Mr O'CONOR said a clause of this kind was absolutelypenal, as it would prevent a man from giving a friend a glass of beer at his own dinner table on election day. Mr CARNCROSS also hoped the committee would not agree to the clause, as it was too sweeping altogether. The clause was lost on the voices. A new clause was then moved to the effect that all public nouses within the radius of two miles of any polling booth shall be closed for the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor on polling day at a general election, and no holder of any license shall supply any liquor to other persons on that day; the penalty for breach of this clause shall be forfeiture of license. This clause was strongly opposed by several members, and it was eventually lost by 32 to 13. Mr THOMPSON (Marden) asked whether he could now move that the public houses in the four cities be closed on polling day, but the Chairman ruled it could not be put. The b 11 was reported with amendments. The Hon. J. BALLANCE moved that the bill be recommitted • for recdusideration of certain clauses. Clause 112, result of poll?. The ' Hon. J. FALLANCE moved to strike out the proviso to the clause relating -to ballot boxes at small polling booths- where there are not more thaa 40 electors being forwarded to the returning officer which was agreed to at a previous sitting. — This was agreed to. The Hon. J. BALLANCE moved a new clause, 112 a, to the effect that the deputyreturning officer at every polling place ■ where not more than 40 votes are recorded at an election, shall after the close of the poll open the ballot boxes, and taking out the ballot papers without unfolding them, shall count the same and enclose them in a sealed packet to the returning officer. This was strongly opposed, and was thrown out on the voices. The remaining postponed clauses were agreed to. The bill was then read a third time and passed. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORM. The House went into committee on the Legislative Council Bill. Clause 2, appointment of members. I The Hon. J. BALLANCE moved that tho age of members who could be summoned to the Council should be 21 years instead of 35.— Agreed to. Clause 3, members to hold office for 10 years only. The Hon. J. BALLANCE moved that " 10 " be struck out and "seven " substituted. The Hon. Mr Ballauca's motion to strike out the word •' ten " waa carried on the voices. Sir G. GREY moved-—" That members of the Council should only hold office for throe years." Ho said he did so in order that Legislative Councillors should have the same term of offioe as members of the House of Representatives. Sir G. Grey's amendment was lost by 39 to 11. Sir G. GREY then moved to insert "five years " instead of seven.— Lost by 33 to 16, and 11 seven " carried on the voices. Sir G. GREY moved that the Council should be elective, but the Chairman ruled it out of order in that bill ; also an amendment that no members should be appointed to the Council unless after a resolution of the whole House. Mr THOMPSON (Auckland* moved an amendment to the effect that Jhis aot should apply t j the last seven appointments made to the Council —namely, to those appointed before! , the Ist January 1891.— Agreed to on the voices. Captain RUSSELL thought the amendment just passed made the bill retrospective, and would jeopardise it. He was anxious the bill should pass, and he thought the committee should reconsider its action before finally passing the clause. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE said Mr Thomp, son had stated that he had been informed by a member of the late Ministry that the gentlemen recently appointed had given a pledge to make this act apply to their own appointments. , If.it were found that those gentlemen did not give such a pledge, this amendment should not have effect ; but it would be a matter for the conference to consider. Mr REBB asked Captain Russell to say whether such a pledge had been given. Mr T. THOMPSON said it had been stated at a caucus of the late Government party that such a pledge" bad been given. Sir JOHN HALL said he was present at the caucus, but had no recollection of any 3uch statement being made. Mr T. MACKENZIE corroborated Sir John Hall's statement. Mr R. THOMPSON, on being appealed to by Mr T. Thompson, said his impression was that the late Premier had Btated positively that the gentlemen appointed had given a pledge that they would support a reform of the Council applying to themselves. The clause as amended waa passed. Clause 7, appointment of Speaker. m The Hon. Mr BALLANCE thought that the right of appointing the Speaker should be vested m the Crown instead of in the Council itself, as provided by the bill. He moved, therefore, that clause 7 be struck out. Sir J. HALL said no good reasons had been shown why the Legislative Couuoil should be deprived of the right of appointing thoir Speaker. No inducement whatever would be now held out to members of that body to prove by their usefulness that they might aspire to an office of this kind. He hoped the committee would pass the clause as it stood. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE said the Crown had exercised this power for many years, and he saw no reason why it should be altered now. After further discussion the clause was struck out. Mr FISH moved a new clause to the effeot that a legislative councillor who voluntarily resigns his seat in that chamber shall be entitled to retain ,the title of " Honorable," and also a free railway pass, and to have aooess to the Parliamentary library. Considerable discussion ensued, several members objecting to the title of " honorable" being retained. Mr FISH consented to strike out this portion of the clause, and the amended clause was then carried by 22 to 20.

The bill was reported with amendments, which were agreed to. The bill was then read a third time by 40 to 12. Oa the motion that the bill do pass, Mr REEVES (Inangahua) read, from a copy of the New Zealand Herald of January last, a report of a caucus held by the late Government party, in which it was stated that the six gentlemen recently appointed to the Legislative Council had given a pledge to the Government that they would consent to the Legislative Council Reform Bill having application to their own appointments. Mr MACKENZIE (Clutha) said that was no promise whatever. A report of that meeting might have been supplied to the newspaper by Mr Reeves himself, or by the member for Auckland. The bill then passed on the voices. OTAOO UNIVERSITY COUNCIL BILL. After the telegraph office closed, the Otago University Council Election Bill was considered in committee. The word " professors " waa added to the interpretation clause; clause 7 (voting by proxy) was struck out. Clause 9 (providing how vacancies are to be filled) was struck out at the Minister's instance, and the following new clauses substituted :— M 9. Vacancies oecutriog through the death or resignation of members of the Council in office at , the time of tho passing of this act shall be filled by persons ■ elected or nominated, as the case may be, in the following order : The first, third, fifth, sixth, and seventh vacancies shall be filled by persons elected by graduates ; the second aDd fourth vacancies by persons elected by the professors ; and the remaining vacancies by persons appointed by the Governor-in-Council. 9a. Every vacancy occurring, tbiough death or retirement of any member of the council appointed or elected under this aot shall be filled by tho person appointed or elected by the authority by which deceased or retiring member was appointed or elected." The bill was reported as amended, read a third time and passed.' LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES AOT AMENDMENT BILL. The Loans to Local -Bodies Act Amendment Bill was considered in committee. : Very strong objection was taken by several members to the provisions in clause 2, allowing the Minister of Lands to expend a sum not exceeding'£so,ooo in any orre year towards opeuing up blocks of land for settlement by formation of roads rand bridges to afford access to such blocks. The Hon. Mr SEDDON assured the committee the money would be judicioisly and impartially spent. The Hon. Mr FERGUS suggested* an addition to the clause, that no money should be expended in the direction indicated until after its appropriation by the House, but The Hod. Mr SEDDON said he could not accept the amendment, and it was lost by 21 to 6 After a lengthy discussion, the clause was 1 added to the bill with verbal ■ amendments.! Other clauses were- agreed to. The bill was reported. PETITIONS. The committee have referred to the Government for consideration the petition of William Watts, of Stirling, for a grant of land for military services. Mr Fergus presented a petition from Mr James Traves,'of T Gibbston, setting out that he had been rendered entirely destitute, and that he and his family, are threatened with ruin. He became possessed of a water race and took up a lease of 20 acres of land, but the gold in the district was patchy and not being able to get much, bis rent fell into arrears. At last a judgment of the Resident Magistrate's Court was given agauibt him and all hi* was sold at a great sacrifice. MISCELLANEOUS. In refereric"e"to the petitions recently received on behalf of Mrs Brown; widow of the late Mr J. C. Brown, who was member for Tuapeka for many years, the Public Petitions Committee, recommend the Government to.place a sum of 1 £500 on the Supplementary Estimates as a compassionate'allowance. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. MISCELLANEOUS. At the banquet on Saturday evening to Mr Bryce, his health was proposed by Sir John Hall, in an able speech, in which he reviewed Mr Bryce's political career and his distinguished services to the oolony. Mr. Bryce, io_reply.ing, justified the course he had taken in resigning the Waikato seat, and oondemned the action of the Government and that of the Speaker. The whole of the proceedings were of a most cordial nature. > There is a vague rumbr that Mr 'Bruce may be rriri for Waikato in the Opposition interest, but this is. not generally credited. Mr Lake is regarded as the most likely man. -Negotiations with the Railway Commissioners with^'a view of obtaining- a reduction on the freight of wire netting suitable for rahbit fencing to the same price as ordinary fencing wire are suggested by Mr Rhodes. (Continued on page 16.)