HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3139, 27 August 1892, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The House went into committee on the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill. Clause 2, interpretation : Mr G. Hutchison moved that the lfissen may obtain a new lease provided he holds more than 040 acres of first-class land, and more than-2000 acres of second-class land. The amendment was strongly opposed, and lost on the voices, tho clause being agreed to as it stood. The remainder of the Bill passed with the amendments made by the Special Committee. The Bill was than reported to the House, and, after a short debate, read a third time and passed. The House rise at 5.30 p.m. The House njsnmfd at 7.30 p.m. The Electoral Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 184, " Voter to be alone when making up ballot paper." Mr Saunders moved an amendmunt, of which he had previously given notice, with respect to the e ection on the Hare system for the city constituencies. Mr Ballance opposed the proposal, and contended that if it were carried the whole of the Meet iral Bill would have to be remodelled. He .-aid he had nevnr known a cnse in which the Hare system had been carried out successfully. Mr Roileston said tho argument that the Bill would have to be re-modelled was no argument at all. He should not regret it much if the Bill were dropped altogether. As for Mr Saunders' amendment, he was inclined to think it was an improvement on the Bill. After a lengthy discussion the amendment was lost 35 to 29.

Clause 107 " number of votes to be given by each voter." Mr Moore moved to Rtrilce out this clause as he disapproved of amalgamated eleeMr Rollestcn thought the Government Bbould accept the division on this clause as an indication whether or not the pommittee wished to adopt single electorates in cities instead of the amalgamated system. Mr Ballance said he saw no reasoo why they should change to single electorates in the cities instead of the amalgamated system. If such a change were made the question of quota between town and country would have to be considered, and if the clause were thrown out it meant the destruction of the Electoral Bill altogether. He hoped the clause would be passed leaving the auestion of single electorates to be considered next session when a Representation Bill could be brought in. Sir Geo. Grey said he had hitherto been in favour of the amalgamated system but then they had plural voting in the country. As far as he had seen in Auckland the grouping of the three members together was not advantageous to the poople there. ~ Mr Harkness intimated that he would move at the end of the Bill a new clause, to the effect that within one month after the passing of the Bill the Representation Committee shall divide the four cities into single electorates. After a lengthy discussiou, Mr Mooro s motion was lost by 35 to 2G, the clause being retained. Clause 150, "Four Maori members to be elected " : Mr Shera moved that this clause be struck out, as he wished to abolish special Maori representation. The clause was retained by 4S to 8. In Clause 152 the qualification of Maori electors was altered to provide that every Maori should be entitled to vote instead ut every male Maori. k (Left sitting at midnight.)