GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1582, 17 May 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Counoil met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. Mr Morris was given leave of absenct for the remainder of the session. Mr McLean moved the second reading of the GtrrioK and Lotteries Act Amend* ment Bill. It was to remedy a defeot in the present Act, which allowed persons who had lost money in the totalisator to demand it back. . After » short discussion, the motion waa agreed to on the voices. . The Post Offioe Act 'Amendment Bill was read a second time. The Council adjourned at 3,45 p.m.^fi

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Hous* met <*t 2.30 p.m. on Friday. The Wellington Gas Company Extension Bill, and the Phoenix Assurance Compupy of London Bill was read > second time. ■ j^ Replying to questions it was stated that n sum of £3O was not paid for' towage of the Stella into Greymouth when she went to fetch two mem; era of Parliament to this session. Oo the motion for the introduction by Sir Julius Vagal of the Bill to Amend the Customs Tariff, Mr Moss stroDgly pro* tested against any addition of Customs duties except for the encouragement to local industries. Sir Julius Vogel said that the proposed additions to the Customs revenue would not be so large as it was in 1882-83, not* withstanding the large increase of population. As for the present tariff there bad never-been one proposed which appeared to give more general satisfaction. The motion <"«8 agreed to. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second readiag of the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill.— Agreed to. Sir Julius Vogel tnoted the second reading of the Local Bodies Loans/iAci Amendment Bill.—Agreed to. J. The Elections Act Amendment Bill was recommitted for the purpose of further consideration of clause 6, providing for the extension of the hours for polling to be 6 p.m. Mr Seddon moved that the polling: shall not close till 7 p.m. in the following: l citie3 aod boroughs :—Auckland, Parnell, Napier, Wellington Wanganui, Nelson,. Cbristchurch, Timaru, Sydenham, Wainmte, Oatnaru, Dunedin, Cavorsham, Roalyn, Invercargi!!, Linwood, St. Albans, South Dunedin, St. Kilda.— Agreed to after a long debate; Mr Hatch's Dew clause re deposit of £25 excited considerable discussion, but it was agreed to. On Mr Turnbull's motion th* Hepoaitjfr was restricted to elections in which a poll was demanded. The clause as amended waa passed by 38 to 32. The Representation Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr Cad man moved an addition to subsection 5, clause 3, reqeiring the Commissioners in forming electorates to combine community of interests as far as possible. Mr Seddon wished to see, the present boundaries retained as far as practicable. Mr G. F. .Richardson proposed that fncilities of communication and topographical features should also be taken into consideration. ' The Premier said he would accept Mr Seddoa'aaad Mr Richardson's suggestions, and Mr Cadmau'e amendment was altered accordingly. Mr Seddon moved a further amend- 4 ment giving the Commission power t» take a supplementary census if they have- i reason to believe that a change of popula- f tion has taken place in any district since the preceding official "census. Negatived. Mr Seddon moved a further provision, that there shou'd always be two censusreturns taken before the electorate' representation of goldfielda were altered, :f A long discussion ensued, members; complaining that Mr Seddon was obstruct* ingihe Bill. This he dented. Mr Fergus said be s'.ould support Mr Seridon. The Premier said he believed Mr Fergsm had been lobbying against the Bill. It

was distinct that the Bill could not go through unless a compromise of some sort was made. He suggested that the number of members be raised.to 86, and n concession made in the percentage. If this were agreed to with slight alterations in the remaining clauses he thought the- ' Bill might reasonably be allowed to passAt 1.30 p.m. the Premier suggested! -"* that they should adjourn the debute tilli Tuesday, in the hopes of arriving at & ' oomprnmise. Mr Bryce and Mr McKenaie objected* After a short further a motion to report progress was carried. ' On motion that leave be granted to sit again, Mr Bryce moved to insert words fixing the Bill as a first order of the day f. for Tuesday. The Premier said he had never heard of such a motion, and it would do no good.. The House divided:—Ayes 81, Noes 32. The amendment was lost, and the H«um> rose at 2,6 a.m. . , .*