HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8533, 25 July 1889, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, Juno 24. — The House met at 7.30. On the motion for the committal of the Representation Bill, Mr Moss rose and asked the Premier if it was his intention to forco the bill through the House contrary to tho will of a considerable number of members, who asked that the bill be postponed for a few days in order that the country might have a fair chanco of considering it. The Premier replied that it was not his intention to force tbe bill through unless it was unfairly , resisted ; nor was he prepared to submit to any postponement without sufficient reason being shown. He added thut he was pledged to dispose of tbis bill before proceeding with other business. Mr Moss then proceeded to lengthily criticise the bill. Mr Izard denounced the unseemly haste with which tbe bill was being forced through the House, and blamed the Government for acting at the command of a party in the House not their own. Sir George Grey said no time was given to the country to know what wav taking place, but if people would only now raise their voices they might arrest this harried movement. After several adjournments, with a view to arriving at a compromise, at 11.40 Mr M. Reevep, of St. Albans, resumed the debate. The Premier made a statement .to the effect that he had received deputations from the city and country members. The city members had asked him to have 25 per cent.^ quota for the country districts inserted in tho bill. The country members had stated they would insist on 33£ pei cent, quota. Tho Government had come to the conclusion to insert 25 per cent., on the basis of tho Act of 1877, instead of 18 per cent, as at present. The Government were prepared to carry 25 per cent., and they would accept neither raora or less. After some discussion^ .Mr Reeves resumed his speech, criticising the remarks of the previous upeakers. Air Fish opposed the bill at length, and just before 2 a.m. the galleries weie cleared. The Btonowall continued all night, and the House is still sitting (10 a.m ) The town members talk of keeeing it up till Sunday.