HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4164, 25 August 1881, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PEOLONGED SITTING,

SIONE-WALLING THE REPRESEN-

TATION BILL.

The diecusion proceeded till a late hour in the afternoon, when the queation " That the words in the first line of clause 2 he struck out, with the view of inserting the word ' at ' " waß negatived on the voices. The further amendment proposed in clause 2, " that 91 be struck out with, the view of inserting 60," was next put, 91 being put as standing part of the clause. The Houee divided:— Aybs, 4o ; Nobs, 24.

The Hon W. Gisbobnb moved as a further amendment the addition of the foUowing : — " Provided that 45 members Bhall be given to the North Island, and 46 to the South Island."

Sir Geobgb Gbby moved that progress be reported. He did so in no hostile spirit, but simply with a view of approaching the queation with a calm mind.

The motion for reporting progress was withdrawn.

The Hon J. Hall opposed the motion, contending that the alteration proposed would strike at the root of the representative principle just affirmed. Captain Russbll supported the motion, contending that the preponderance proposed by the clause as it stood would be most unfair to the North. So long as the Legislature re* tamed its characteristic of a Board of Works, it was more than ever necessary to adjust the balance of power on an equitable basis. Mr Sutton adopted an opposite view, contending that the alteration proposed would have the effeot of killing the BiU, if adopted. Mr Bbandok thought the Bill very wrong in principle, and would vote against it. The question was put that the words proposed be added to the clause :— Aybs, 19 ; Noes, 45. Ayes, 19. — Messrß Colbeck, Collins, George, Gibbs, Gisborne, Hamlin, Harris, Hurst, Hurathouse, Leveatam, Pitt, Russell, Speight, Swanson, Tole, Wallis, Weston, Whitaker, Wood.

Nobs, 45. — Messrs Allwright, Andrews, Barron, Bastings, Beetham, Bowen, Brandon, Brown, Bryce, Bunny, De Lautour, Dick, Driver, Finn, Fisher, J. 8., Fisher, J. T., Sir W. Fox, Messrs Fulton, Hall, Hirst, H., Hutchison, Johnston, Jonee, Kenny, Levin, Macandrew, M'Caughan, M'Donald, Montgomery, Oliver, Pyke, Beeves, Richardson, Rolleston, Shanks, Shephard, Stevens, Stewart, Studholme, Sutton, Thomßon, Trimble, TurnbuU, Wakefield, Whyte. Mr Levestam moved as a further proviso tho words, " Providod that no Borough in which ia the seat of Government for the Colony shall have any representation." The queation was put that the addition be made to the clause : — AY88, 14 ; Nobs, 49.

Mr Seddon moved that progresß bo reported :— Aybs, 12 ; Nobs, 44. Olause 2 was then put and carriod. Sir G. Gbey moved that progress bo reported. The Hon J. Hall said they would only oonßont to tho adjournment on the understanding that the stone- walling process had come to an end. They would decline if it waa simply to enablo mombers to recruit themselves for renewing the operation. Sir G. Gbry said that ho believed that there was some provocation for stonewalling. Howover, he desired to raise no party question. He could give no promise, but, so far as ho was concerned, no unnecessary obstruction would bo thrown in tho way. Mr Bastings Baid he had still an amendment to move, and having done bo, he would leave the matter in the hands of the House.

Mr Pitt said ho felt bound to take tho courso ho had done, in deference to a strong expression of opinion from his constituency. In the faco of tlio large majority against him lio felt cons - rained to give way, and say it was bost to offer no furthor obstruction. If the adjournment was agreed to tho Opposition members would have an opportunity for consulting, and ho had hopes tliat an amicable understanding would bo come to. Mr Seddon declinod to give any auch pledge, announcing his dotormination to dis-

cuss every clause, and act in the matter as he thought right. He oharged the Premier with having a tyrannical majority at his back, and using it. Mr Gibbs also announced hia determination to deal with tho Bill as he might see fit. He would oppoae every clause. Mr Tawhai said that a meeting of the Auckland members had been hold at which it was resolved to opposo tho Bill as unfair to the North Island. He was astonished to find these vory men going into the lobbies and voting for tho Bill. He denounced the deception thuß practised.

Mr Hubsthouse appealed to Government to consent to progreaa being reported.

Mr London said all tbat Government was asked to concede was an hour's postponement. It was not worth while insisting upon the adjournment, more especially when such a promise waß to be exacted.

Sir G. Gbey was sorry Government had refused a reasonable request, and would accept with pleasure the challenge Government had given, and be prepared to fight out the cause into which they had been forced by the uncompromising conduct of Government.

Oaptain Russell said that Government, having shown its strength, should now show its magnanimity.

Colonel Tbimble thought, if the motion was withdrawn, it would be a graceful act on the part of Government to accede to an adjournment till 7.30 p.m. The Houae was evidently in a state of irritation.

The Hon J. Hall said he would be prepared to follow the course suggested. The question for reporting progress was put :— Ayes, 11 ; Noes, 43.

The Chairman then left the chair until 8 o'clock.

EVENING SITTING,

The House resumed at 8 o'clock.

Mr Finn drew attention to the standing order providing that unless otherwiao ordered the House shall sit each day at 2.30 p.m., and he quoted from May's " Parliamentary Practice " to show that a debate in Committee could not be allowed to take precedence of the sitting of the Houae as had been done that day.

Mr Sbymoub thought it would have been more proper to have reported progress so as to allow the sitting of the House as directed at 2.30 p.m. The Speaker eleoted, however, not to take the chair as the Committee was sitting.

Mr Sbddon rose to another point of order. He complained that the Ohairman had that day at 5 o'clock left the chair until 8, which was contra-y to role.

Mr Sbyuoub said it was customary for the Chairman to leave the chair a little before 5.30 when convenient to the Houbo, and he did so in accordance with that rule.

Mr Seddon was about to remonstrate further when the Chairman pointed out that the point could not be further contested, and Mr Seddon intimated he would table a motion on the subject. The Representation Bill was then further considered in Committee.

Olauße 3— Mr Olitsb proposed that the clause be postponed until the schedules were passed.

The Chaibman explained that all the clauses of the Bill would have to pass before the schedules were considered.

Mr Oliveb aaid he proposed to strike out the words "91 electoral districts," in order to inßert 86. The object was to have Dunedin and Wellington continued as oue eleotoral district, instead of being cut up into wards. Mr Bastings moved—" That the clause be altered so aa to read ' there shall be nine electoral districtß corresponding with the Provincial districts, and each elector therein shall have as many votes as there are members allotted to the Provincial district.' "

The Hon J. Hall opposed the amendment.

Mr Seddon proposed another amendment — "That the electoral districts remain as at present constituted."

Sir G. Gbby moved as a further amendment — " That the clause be made to read as follows, ' the number of European members for any one district shall bear to the whole number of European members as nearly as may be the proportion that any such district bears to the population of New Zealand.' " The House divided on Mr Seddon's amendment, which was negatived by 50 to 13. Mr Bastixgs' amendment was next discussed, after whioh he applied to have it withdrawn, and leave was granted. Mr Oxivbb's amendment was next considered.

The queation was put for retaining the words as printed : — Ayes, 40 ; Nobs, 17. Bir G. Gbby's amendment was next discussed.

The House divided : — Ayes, 11 ; Noes, 38. The clause passed as printed. The remaining clause passed without comment.

In the absence of Mr Sheehan, Mr Moss moved the following new clause : — " Every man of the age of twenty-one years and upwards having a leasehold estate in his possession situate within any electoral district constituted under this Act, of the clear annual value of ten pounds, held upon a lease whiob, at the time of registration shall have not less than three years to run, or having a leasehold so situate of such value as aforeiaid, of which he has been in possession for three years, or upwards, at the time of such registration, shall be entitled to be registered nnder ' The Registration of Eleotors Act, 1879,' and to vote at the election of members of the House of Representatives* and this clause shall be read as part of • The Qualification of Electors Act, 1877.'"

The clause was read a second time. Mr Lundon moved that three years be made six months.

The Hon J. Hail said Government supported the principle of the clause. [At 1.30 a.m. the Houbb was Btill Bitting.]

WELLINGTON, August 25.

Mr Lukdon's amendment in the new clause to substitute six months for three years' occupancy, was rejected by 38 to 15. Mr Jonbs moved a further amendment, to the effect that no person should have more than one vote on account of any one property, which was lost on the voices.

Mr Lundoic moved that one year be substituted for three years' occupancy. This was carried after considerable discussion, and the new clause, as amended, was waa added to the Bill on a division by 33 toll.

The Pbbuibb then moved to roport progress, and the Bill waa ordered to be further considered in Committee on Friday. Tke House adjourned at 2.30.

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WELLINGTON, August 24.

The last division, this morning, was taken at half-past ten o'clock on Mr Seddon's motion " That the Ohairman (Mr Hamlin) leave the chair." This was nogatived, and the obstructionists on whose shoulders it had fallen almost exclusively to keep up tho weary debate, showed signs of giving way. At this juncture Mr Reeves, who had just arrived from Nelson, walked into the House, and was recoived with cheers by tho flagging Opposition. He waa of course perfectly fresh, and as he possesses notoriously the beat staying powers as a speaker in the House, the expression that fell upon the countenances of Ministers, who evidently fully anticipated an immediate reprieve, was very ludicrous. At times it has been difficult to prevent a scene. Mr Bryce, while acting as Chairman, ruled with great clearness and impartiality. Mr Seddon raised tho question as to whether he was properly in the chair, not having been " elected," but meroly nominated by Mr Seymour. Mr Soddon threatened to push mattors to extremes, and intimated that if removed by tho Sergeant-at-Arms he waa quite prepared to mako a martyr of himself in what he considered a juat cause. Throughout the debate this morning much curiosity was felt as to what course would be pursued when the usual hour for the Houbo meeting, namely, 2.30 p.m., arrived. Opinionß were divided as to whether the debate would go on uninterruptedly or the Speaker would come in and opon the House in the usual manner by prayer, and then finding the Houae in Committee retire. The last occasion on which the Houbo was in a Bimilar position was on September 9, 1875, in Committee on the Abolition of Provinces Bill. On that occasion tho Sergeant-at-Arms a fow minutos before 2.30 p.m. entered the Chamber, and carried out the mace. Messrs Sheehan, Stout, and others, appealed to the Chairman aa to whether this proceeding waß right. Tho Chairman (Mr O'Rorke) ruled that tho mace was tho symbol of oflice of tho Speaker (Sir F. Dillon Bell), not of his (the Chairman's), and that no broach of the rules had takon placo. At this stago, tho Sergoant-at-Armß ro-ontored the Chamber with tho

mace, followed by the Speaker, who, aftor reading prayers, said : " I found, on taking the chair, that the House was in Oommitteo, and not having finished its busineßß it ia my duty to loave the chair, and the Committee wil resume." The busineßß was thon proceeded with in Committee. It is argued by some that the procedure to-day is directly contrary to clauses 39 and 40 of the Standing Ordera. Clause 39 prescribes certain sitting daye, including Wednesday. Claußo 40 provides that "unlesa otherwise ordered, the Houao meets each day at balf after two o'clock, kc" It is argued that it having been "otherwise ordered," and the Speaker not having opened the House at 2.30 p.m., all the subsequent proceedings are ultra vires. Mr Swanson caused a hearty laugh by explaining that " the Houbo to-day iB really sitting yesterday."

Immediately on the House resuming, at 8 o'clock, Mr Finn called attention to the infringement of Numbor 40 of the Standing Orders, contending that progress should have been reported before 2.30 p.m., and the Speaker should have taken his seat at that hour and formally opened the House for tho day, the Committee then resuming. He quoted from May in support. Tho Chairman somewhat hesitatingly replied to the effect that probably suih a course would have been the better one, but he contended that he was acting under the directions of the Houbo, which had not required him to report progress. Had the Speaker entered the Houae at 2.30 p.m. he would as a matter of course have vacated the Chair. The impression left by Mr Seymour's remarks was that in his opinion it would have been advisable for the Speaker to open tho House according to precedent. The matter then dropped. The following is May's ruling as quoted by Mr Finn : — " A Committee of the whole House has no power either to adjourn its own sittings, or to adjourn a debate to a future sitting ; but if a debate be not concluded, or if all the matters referred be not considered, in the Lords the House is resumed, and the Chairman moveß ' that the House be again put into Committee ' on a future day, and in the Commons, the Ohairman is directed ' to report progress, and ask leave to sit again.' "

I am informed that at a meeting of Government supporters in the Premier's room yesterday, it was decided to refer the Railways Construction Bill back to tbe drafters, with instructions to incorporate Mr Pyke's rating clause.