QUESTIONS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11733, 10 September 1902, Page 5

QUESTIONS.

Answering "questions Ministers said— That the question of extending the time to 1906 when the bonus forencoturagement of the flax industry will be paid was under tthe consideration of the Caibnet. That arrangements were in progress for the purpose oT giving" veterinary facilities to learn veterinary surgery in New Zealand. That it was not intended to amend the Land for Settlements Act to enable settlers to acquire a limited freehold. That a ,new manual of physical and military training was being prepared! for training boys and girls in the public schools. That provision would be made next session with a view to paying common juries in civil "eases ten shillingsl a diay for each day during which they may be engaged upon a case.' That irarovisioM was being made for an increased supply of free ammunition to Volunteers-. That an amendment of the Civil Service Act wouldl be introduced sext session putting temporary clerks on a more permanent footin|«r. s Mr. T. Mackenzie amoved the adjournment of the Hfoiu&e, expressing his disapproval of the reply to his question with respect to settlers, acquiring a limited freehold, and urging that in view of the present high prices of land and of the possibility of a slump, i& would be to the advantage of the State that a limited freehold should be granted. Mr. Bu3da said the terms of the contract for the service to South Africa were not so advantageous to the colony as they might be. The .debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed! at 7.30. Sir Jofsepb. Ward, in moving the committal of the Electoral Bill, explained that it contained, only a few alterations

in the present electoral law, but one of these alterations was of great importance, viz., the provision for a second ballot. It must' be admitted that it was not desirable of have minority. representation if it could be prevented. Had the second ballot been in force in 18% sixteen menubers would have been affected, and in 1899 eleven menibeii;.'. There was considerable difference of opinion on th.6 subject, but he believed the House should adopt either a second ballot or an absolute majority system, -as the time had arrived when provision should be. made to ensure majority representation. He exipiivined at some length the clauses dealing with a second ba'/lot, and said the intention was to make the second ballot as easy and cheap as possible. He himself favoured the second ballot system, bxit he hoped there would be full discussion on the subject, and if a majority of the House was against it, lie would accept the verdict with tihe greatest equanimity. With regard to single city electorates, he pointed out that it was still open to the House to make this alteration as the representation; commissioners! had prepared the necessary skeleton, but as the opposition of the city members to the proposal appeared to be endorsed by their constituents he had not included it in the Bill. Apart from the second bai'lot proposal, the Bill wast a consolidation of sixteen measures, which was an important step forward. Mr. Pirani condemned the second ballot as (propsed in the Bill, and considered the plan suggested by Mr. McNab (that of preferential voting) was a long way ahead cf it. He was opposed to the present system of subdivision of city electorates and that under which election petitions were tried, and he also thought the present system of Maori representation should be altered. The Bill could be considerably improved in committee. Mr. McNab thought it would be far better for the country to continue on present electoral lines than to %o in for a second ballot system, the difficulties surrounding which he pointed out at some length. He believed it would be a. terribfe mistake to allow the system to become the law of the land. Under \it candidates would lose every shred of independence they possessed, land; would be,come creatures of tvery iplolitical party in the country. Mr. W. Fraser urged several committee objections to the Bill. He said he felt confident that the good common sense of members of the House would prevent the introduction of the second! ballet. Mr. Gilfedder. said there "were objecI tions against the second, ballot. While |in regard to the preferential voting system it would be difficult to educate electors to its use, he maintained! that-cities should be subdivided into single electorates. Mr. SJdey believed that a second ballot would be preferable to the present system, in any case where electoral voted on party lines, but it would place another obstacle in the way of the poorer candiJ date. Mr. Fisher opposed! the second ballot, as he .believed1 our present system was the simplest and best, andl it had successfully stood the test far 25 years. He considered it wouM be a very great mistake to subdivide city electorates. Mr. Haselden, in opposing the second! ballot, said it would be difficult to get the country (people to roll up in, any numbers) for a second election. He mdi- . eated that he would! (move in committee on the Bill to prevent the interference of the Government in elections.

Mr\ Ell opposed tihe second ballot system, but would support an absolute majority system). He said he wouid move in committee in the direction of abolishing the 28 per cent, quota within five miles of the chief post offices in Auckland, Wellington, "Christchuroli, and Dunedin. Mr. G. W. Russell was entdrelv opposed td a second ballot, as it woud vastly increase the chances of t&ose that were supported by the wealthy classes, r Despite its defectsj, he regarded the present spitem as preferable to either a second ballot or absolute majority system. . Mi1. Collins, while agreeing, that it was desirab'e to ensure majority representation, was convinced! that the second ballot proposals in the Bill wtauld not achieve the objects arrived at. He objected to the inclusion in, the consolidating measure of changes which, on the eve of a general election, would have a disastrous effect. Mr. Atkinson considered that in the event of a person voting illegally, power should be given tk> the returning-ofneer to take out of a bundle of voting papers the paper on which the vote had been illegally exercised. Mr. A. L. D. Fraser spoke in favour of a universal'system of electoral ristbts. He considered the time had n?M7ed wh»m special representation of the Maori race Should be abolished, or that at. fuiy rate the mode of carrying out «.! ti.e tvlaon elections should be improved.