House of Representatives.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11045, 5 September 1903, Page 2

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30. " GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. The H'ou.' Sedcloii moved that after Wednesday, September 9, for the remainder of the session, Government business take precedence on "Wednesday, and lifter aoinc discussion tho motion was agreed to 011 the voices.

CITY- SINGLE ELECTORATE. At 4 p.m. the House went into committee 011 the City Single Electorates Bill. Bir Baume moved the excision of the word "single" from the title of the Bill. He agreed that no greater mißtake could be made in connection with our electoral laws than to adopt the principle contained in this Bill. Sir Joseph Ward said that although the country knew that the Bill was to come before the House, no protest had been made ngainst it. The Bill would inflict no injustice on the cities, and the only conclusion he cotild arrive at was that the opponents of ttye measure were afraid to face the crtraiglit-otit fighting of single electorates. He was prepared to stand by for a month or two in order to put the Bill through, but he was sure the House would not allow an indiscreet minority to block the Bill. Mcßsrß Taylor, Duthic, B,edf.ord, Mos,, Fowlds, Aitkcn, Tanner, Hogg, Ilcko, J. \Y. Thompson,' and Fisher opposed thu Bill, and Mr Masscy said that for once he supported the Government. Mr Fowlds moved a prior amendment to strike out the word "city" in the short title, with a view of inserting ''Electoral Act, 1902, Amendment Act, 1903," in its place. This was lost by 44 votes to 12, and Mr .Bauinc's amendment 'rejected by 44 to 31. A short title was then, adopted on the voices. After the telegraph office closed the rei, maining clauses of the City Single Electorates Bill were passed unaltered. A new clause was added to provide that the Bill shall not interfere with the existing boundaries of the licensing districts. The Bill was reported, and the Hox;.«f> rose i at 12.30.