HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3767, 11 August 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. minister's statement. Major Atkinson, in moving that the Houso at its rising do adjourn to Monday afternoon for Government business, said \4hat tho estimates ivould then be steadily £ohe on with, and if members liked all necessary business could be concluded by the end of the present month. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers said tho Government ivould try and remedy any needless delays in the land transfer system; the Government could not remove the duty on sugar to promote the jam aud fruit preserving industry ; the Settled Land Bill introduced by Mr Conolly ivas the Alienation of Land Bill under a new name ; it was not intended to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate the allegations made against the Now Zealand Land Company, as several libel actions on the subject ivere pending; tho Government Avould propose a voto for giving compensation to Dr. Philson for sorviccs as surgeon of the Auckland Hospital, in which service he had lost the use of ono hand; there was nothing to prevent tho Thames County Council from taking their claim to certain goldfields revenue into a Court of law if they wished to do so; some wooden notice boards which were in store and not wanted in AA r ollington - had been sent to Dunedin, where they ivere wanted, in preference to having neiv ones made there.

THE IRISH INFORMERS. Major Atkinson read a cable from Lord Derby stating that the Irish informers would return to England in the Pa than, and that full explanations would shortly bo forwarded by despatch. daegaville's accusations. Major Atkinson moved that Mr Hurst be discharged from the Dargaville Committee, and that Mr Mason be substituted. A long discussion ensued, in which Mr Seddon expressed great dissatisfaction Avith Mr Steward's conduct as Opposition Whip, and Mr Montgomery Avarmly defended him. Ultimately Mr Dargaville said that, as indicated from the first by the amendment he had proposed, he did not intend his words to impute personal dishonor or personal corruption to Ministers, and had his words been capable of such interpretation ho would have withdrawn them, but he did not think they were. The motion was agreed to. NATIVE LAND BILL. Mr Hursthouso resumed tho debato on the Native Land Bill. He held that they must either resume the Croivn's pre-emptive right, or have free trade. He did not hold the lawyers responsible for the Land Court evils, and ivould not exclude them. More judges ivere wanted. The bill would f*' injuriously affect native lands in the South Island leased for mining. He would support Mr Stevens' clause to save existing rights. Sir George Grey contrasted the treatment of tho native race in regard to their lands in Australia and hero greatly to tho credit of ourselves. The present bill was not a statesmanlike measure; it was not thorough. Tho Government should either take the salo and settlement into its own hands, so as to secure to the natives a fair price, and give all buyers an equal chance of competing for it. The Government should encourage the formation of companies liko the East Coast Land Settlement Company, and act as agents for the natives in promoting settlement on their land. The bill he had prepared when in offico proposed that tho natives should sell only through the Government and in small blocks for settlement, and after this give notice of the land being open for sale. That was tho direction legislation should take. A great defect _in the bill ivas that it contained no provision for reserves, ivhieh Avero subject to restrictions. Within the last tivo years 21,879 acres of reserves of this kind had the restrictions moved ivhen sold privately, and of these 13,221 acres had been secured by the Premier's family and friends. These lands should be thrown open after duo notice, so that all could compete. Ho in-■-tcnded x to bring in a bill to annul these grants and leave tho parties ivho had improperly secured them to seek compensation if they suffered injury. Major Te Whooro supported the principle of tho bill, but would in committee try to render it more stringent. Mr Smith urged the resumption of the pre-emptive right under a proper system. There Avould not be much money wanted to give this effect. Mr Tomoana thought tho Maories should bo alloAved to deal as thoy pleased Avith their oivn lands, subject only to slight Government control. He Avould support the bill.

Mr Hobbs thought the penalties should bo rendered more stringent. Ho Avould support a clause saving pending transactions. Mr Montgomery supported the bill as a step in tho right direction, although not going far enough. He urged Mr Bryce to abandon it in committee and reintroduce his excellent bill of 1880, which he believed the House ivould noiv pass. Mr Kelly thought the bill Avas only a half measure, and urged alteration in the direction of the notice of motion in his name on the Order Paper. Mr Fish supported tho. bill as an honest one, but not going far enough. Certain amendments ivere required in committee. Mr J. Buchanan defended the East Coast Land Settlement Company and Mr DeLautour from the charges made against them, and into Avhich is courted the fullest enquiry. He Avould support the bill generally, but not the exclusion of laAvyers. Mr Turnhull supported a return to the right of pre-emption. Mr Sheehan intimated his intention of speaking at length in opposition to the bill on the motion for its committal. Mr Bryce replied at considerable length, intimating that ho could not agree to any clause Avhich Avould validate or protect existing uncomplete negotiations. The bill ivas read a second time, and the House rose at 1.6.