HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Southland Times, Issue 3516, 27 September 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 / " , ''," ' s Mr Fulton presented ' a petition from the Presbyterians at the 1 Taieri, praying that the, Bible might be read in the public schools. Mr Saunders asked, the Postmaster-General , if a telegram sent *by the" Colonial Secretary ' to Mr Henry Inglis,' a J.P. afKaikouraVand,] which -Mr Inglis reported in the Canterbury Press to be in substance—" Will you^stand on the / poUcy as defined in the Governor's, speech ? If you will, you shall have the entire support of our party, and even if -defeated.^ you will have- a .claim to consideration," but which a Government orgap claim.s, to have been sent 'in exactly the'foUdwing terms,:— '•WUI you stand on the policy 'of the Go ver- ' nor's speech.in Opposition to Saunders 1 party, arid we ,will support you as far as possible, arid' consider you' to have claim upon ns if unsuccessful," was franked by Colonel Whitmore as on public service, and was paid Tot; , as a private message. The" Premier rose to a point of order. He submitted that the newspaper referred to should be named. ' ' The Speaker ruled that the paragraph, as printed having been quoted, it was unnecessary 'tb name the organ. The Postmaster-General said he had seen the 'original' telegram, -which < was* marked •'• Urgent,?' . It was not franked iv the ordi- . nary way." He had communicated with Col. Whitmore on the subject, and had been assured by him thatit was to go as a private telegram, and that he would, of course, have to pay for it as such. * „ , Mr Dick asked the Government if they had been -requested to take anyhctioiuto prevent theatrical representations of an immoral tendency in the city of Dunedin, and what steps, if any, they propose to take iv the matter. In t reply, Mr Macandrew stated that the police had been" instructed to enforce any local ordinance that might be-in force to prevent such ''representations^ and he -also -stated that owners and theatrical manageis, were, under very- serious responsibility in the' haatteri the license granted to ' theatres in which such 'plays took place being liable to be withdrawn. Mr "Murray asked the Government if they would cause throe additional polling places ■ for the electoral district of iiruce to -be appointed, viz., the school-houses at Wangaloa, Stirling, and Lovel's Elat. The Minister for Lands* replied that it was the intention' of the Government to make inquiries aud ap- * point additional polling places all Over the colony,' aud -any; suggestions by hou, members would be attended to. Mr Murray asked* the Government if they propose, this session to re-impose the duties ' upon grain, flour, ahd timber ? The Premier said ' when the Financial Statement was brought down the House ' would he 'informed- what the -Government proposed doing. - . - . ;.* ' Mr Murray asked when that would be, and the .Premier replied there was nothing to prevent Mr Murray taking ..action - in. the * matter, but he could be expected to" say when the Statement would be down ,uutU something definite had been 'settled. The foUowing bills were "iutroftiQc^ aud

read a first time:— A bill suspending plurality of voting in certain cases ; a bill to make provision for the reprcaentation of the peoj ie in tho General Assembly, the Triennial Parliaments Bill, the Alienation of Maori Land Bill (Grey), the Kaitangata and Wangaloa jAthensßiiui Bill (Murray). ' , ; Oii'the motion j^f Mr. Brandon it was agreed fsJthat^fC'i.cuijn., shbwiiigithe population and "nnhiber of elector<*"on-fh<- electoral roll of eactf*el'ect6i'al district, and the number of .electors who polled in each district on the occasion^qf the "last clectiShj'fehduld^be'prepared and laid on the table. Sir George Giey moved the appointment of Mr Seymour as Chairman of Committees. He said the cxpjriencc they had of Mr Sey <*monr<elagb session-fully-justified the^r4ey^,enteitainedof his , abUity -in the discharge of .the duties. > The- Hon. Mr Hall seconded the motion, which- was carried without dissent. Mr Seymour) referring to the unanimity o£ ' bis election, said that he 'accepted' it as evidence that his conduct in the past had given : satisfaction, and he could assure' them lhat he would do his best to merit a continuation of that confidence"." The ' Speaker likewise 'congratulated the House and Mr Seymour. on the unanimity of election. A number of sessional committees" were elected, and the appointment of, Public Accounts aud Pubiic Petitions Committees was postponed, Mr Hall taking" exception to their proposed constitution. Ou placing the notice oh the order- paper for the address in reply, the Premier moved that before the next 'business was proceeded with the House should adjourn until Tuesday. ' ' The 'Hon. Mr Hall said before the question was put he would observe that the object was,' of course, to postpone 1 the address iv reply. He would avail himself of that opportunity to state the course the Opposition bad resolved upon for the convenience of the Honsie and the public. It was a matter for regret that the motion could not come on that day, ! as' proposed on the order paper. The Opposition were anxious to go on with the business of- the country without \ delay, and would haye 1 proposed to go ou' with the discussion then "and there, and_go to division that night if necessary. However, it was of course, possible that members on the other side of the House were not ready, and the Opposition was willing to consult tfieir convenience. He hoped, however, that when the matter was agaiu brought up there would be no further delay.- He made these remarks so that it might not again be said by the Government organ that it was the duty of the Opposition' not to throw obstruction in tne way <of public business. With these remarks, he begged to Inform the Goverc* ment that when "the question is brougbt forward he woulcUbe, prepared to move tl c following addition as an amendment to the address in reply 1 :— " That while this House is prepared to give effect to the Liberal measures , desired, by the country, , we feel bound to submit to" your Excellency that your Excellency's Government as at present constituted does not possess the confidence of the House." He urged that .the Opposition was prepared 'to proceed with the debite at _ once, and to, go through with it aud come to' a decision, as soon as possible. He concluded by seconding the imotion-'for adjournment. \, -' - ". The motion was agreed to, and the 'House adjourned at 3.35 to Tuesday' next' at 2,3 d p.ni. ZZ '