HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3777, 23 August 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AVednesday. Tho Houso met at 2.30 p.m. LEAA'E OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence for a fortnight was granted to Mr Tolc on urgent private affairs. PETITION FROM AXDREAV THOMPSON. The Waste Lands Committee reported that a petition from AndrcAv Thompson, of HaAvke's Bay, should not have been presented, as it contained improper language. Some discussion ensued, but ultimately tho matter dropped, members apparently thinking the petitioner was not quite accountable for his actions. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, Ministers said the Government could not ghe effect to the recommendation of the AVastc Lands Committee in the case of B. S. Allan; the Government could not proceed Avith the Impounding Bill this session, or introduce a Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bill; the Government Avere not aAvarc that any of tho purchase money on the To Aroha block aviis still unpaid. Mr Dick introduced tho River Boards Bill, explaining that it Avas not intended to pass it this session, but merely to circulate it during the recess. A short bill to meet immediate requirements re rivers Avould be passed. LAND PURCHASE DUMMYISM. Mr Pyko moved that the House agree Avith the report of the committee on Otago land dummyism. Mr MacaudroAv, Mr DeLantour, Mr J. C. BroAvn, and Mr Shrimski supported the motion, Avhich Avas carried Avithout opposition. AFFIRMATIONS AND DECLARATIONS BILL. The Affirmations and Declarations Bill Avas read a third time and passed after a division of 49 to 10, Mr Macandrcw, MiThompson, and Mr Turnbull protesting against the total abolition of oaths. The NatiA'c Committees Bill (Bryce), the Electric Telegraph Act Amendment Bill (Dick), the Auckland Hospital Reserves Bill (Dick), tho A r oluutcer Act Amendment Bill (Atkinson), and the Kawhia ToAvnship Sale Bill (Rolleston) Avere all read a second time. WANGANUI BRIDGE BILL. Mr Johnston moved the second reading of the AVanganui Bridge Bill. Mr Mon Isomer a- and Mr Shrimski opposed the bill, ancl Mr StcAvard asked a question as to Avhether it Avas not a local bill. The Speaker ordered it to be referred to the Local Bills Committee to decide. AVEST COAST SETTLEMENT RESERVES BILL. _ The AVest Coast Settlement Reserves Bill (Bryce) passed its second reading Avithout debate, AVEST COAST PEACE PRESERVATION BILL. Mr Bryce briny moved the second reading of the AVest Coast Peace Preservation Act Extension Bill. Mr Hutchison protested against continuing this special legislation. Mr Montgomery, Mr MacandreAv, Mr Moss, aud Mr Turnbull also strongly opposed the bill. Mr A. Macdonald also opposed the bill, and spoke in terms of such strong condemnation of Mr Bryce's conduct iv regard to Te Kooti that the Speaker had to request him not to shock members by irreverent and harroAving language. Mr Fish, Colonel Trimble, and Mr Fergus supported the bill, and Mr Stevens, and MiDaniel opposed it. Mr Bryce, in reply, regretted that the Act Avas still necessary. It AA'ould be dangerous to alloAv a resumption of tlic Parihaka meetings, and it Avas only by this bill they could be prevented. Only a fcAv days ago two hundred natives had to be stopped going there, and he that day learned that thirty of Mahuki's fohWers Avere on their Avay to Parihaka. The second reading Avas carried on a division of 30 to 12. COUNTIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Counties Act Amendment Bill Avas read a second time on the motion of Major Atkinson Avithout debate. LANDS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The House Avent into committee again on the Land Act Amendment Bill. A long discussion took placo on clause 30, Avhich proposed to repeal the clause giving deferred payment holders the right of purchase at the expiration of six years. A general debate on the land system and the nationalisation of tho land took place on a motion to report progress, and in the ! course of it Sir George Grey reiterated the charges against the Government of administering tlic land hiAvs and those relating to native reserves so as to enrich and benefit their friends. Mr Rolleston declared that there Avas not one Avord of truth in the accusations so constantly made. They Avere slanderous, and unworthy of an English gentleman. Sir George Grey repeated them, and said he Avould prove them if given a committee and alloAved to obtain the necessary returns. Major Atkinson said the Government would gladly give a committee if the hon. gentleman would propose one, and state bis charges in AA'riting, so that thoy would bo fairly mot. After some further personal discussion Mr M. AY. Green and others spoko on the bill generally, and tho clauso as printed was carriod on a division by the Chairman's casting vote; tho votes being 24 on each side. Tho remaining clauses of the bill as originally printed Avere agreed to Avith slight alterations, aud the iigav clauses added by the AVastc Lands Committee, as Avell as a number of noAV clauses proposed by Mr R«llestoii, including those necessary to giA'c effect to the report of the committee on Otago dummyism, Avere added to the bill, as Avas also one neAV clause proposed by Mr Scddon. The bill was then reported as amended, and the House rose at 2,20.