WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 2965, 20 August 1872, Page 2

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

(from our own correspondent.)

August 13.

Notices of motions to-day have dwindled down to a minimum, and the House is anxiously looking for the Treasurer’s budget, which, it is understood, will be introduced on Tuesday next. Mr McGlashan gave notice to move an amendment on the sixth clause of the Otago Waste Land Bill, when in Committee, to the effect “That the Waste Land Board shall consist of one chief Commissioner and four other Commissioners, two of whom shall be appointed by the Superintendent, and two appointed by the Colonial Government; none of whom shall be members, for the time being, <-.{ the Provincial Executive—such Commissioners being removable by warrant under the hands of the Superintendant and the Colonial Secretary respectively.” When mentioning this it is well to state that a number of additions have been made to the Bill since it was passed in'the Provincial Council. Mr T. L. Shepherd, it is understood, will oppose the Bill when in committee. Several Bills have gone through a stage to-day, amongst them The Nelson Spec al Settlements Bill and The Canterbury Waste Lands Bill. The Government Annuities Bill has been withdrawn for this Session. The Electoral Bill, Provincial Electoral Bill, and Regulations of Elections Bill not being in the hands of members, their second reading has been deferred until Friday next. The Maori Representation Bill caused a disc saion, in which all the Maori members took part. The Bill which gave Maori representation only extended it to five years, and that period being about to expire by effluxion of time, hence the present Bill. Wi Parata, the Western Maori member, after arguing in favor of it, imported into the question the matter of education, and demanded that the reserves formerly sot aside to the various missionary bodies should now be handed over to education boards before proceeding any further. Katene, the Northern member, said be did not agree altogether with Parata. Notwithstanding that it happened the reserves were in the hands of certain parties, he still wanted Government schools, where the Eng glish language would be taught the Maori. Mr Sheehan advocated a larger Maori representation, in which tribal interests should be considered, and desired postponement in order that he might bring down amendments to that effect. The Premier could not agree with Mr Sheehan that Maori representation should be of a tribal character; he argued that Native representatives should be considered in quite a different light as acting not only for the whole native race but also as taking their part in general Colonial Legislation. He alluded to the fact that there ware no Maories taking a part in the Provincial Legislatures of the North Island, where their advice and assistance would be truly valuable. Mr Fitzhcrbert supported the Bill, and eulogised the present Maori members in glowing terms, showing their aptness for taking part in the legislation of the country. He agreed with the views expressed by the Premier, but deprecated the desire on the part of some members to secure their votes on questions merely of party. This idea was well expressed, as on speaking to two motions by Parata and Tairoa respectively, Mr Stafford and Mr Rolleston on Friday last were bidding high for their votes, when Tairoa moved—“ That the Government should carry out the promises contained in a deed of sale to the Crown, dated I2th June, 1848, of certain land in the Middle Island ”; whereupon Mr Rolleston brought up the proposed sale of the Greymouth and other reserves, and proposed an addition to the motion. However, Tairoa very naively told them what he wanted now was his motion to be carried as it stood, as he would afterwards bring up other motions on these subsets. A considerable discussion having taken place, the Government whip rose and said it was quite refreshing to notice the new-born zeal of the honorable members for Timaru and Avon on behalf of the Maoris. He said it was quite evident the Maoris did not desire their assistance, they were intelligent enough and perfectly able to look after their own interests, and none could do so better than themselves. The object of these members was too transparent, and was only a bidding for tbeir votes. But to return from this digression. Takamoana, the member for the Eastern district, said he spoke last year on this subject, and would again give his views; he said one point has not been cleared up : What was to be done with those lands given up to the missionaries for education purposes ? For his part he was willing to give up further land for education purposes. He was an advocate for education, because he arould like to see the Maoris taking their places in the House as fit and proper legislators. He advocated increased representation, also equal representation in the Provincial Councils with the Pakeha. He wanted no nominees, but that all should bo elected. The Maoris were not now evilly disposed, but all laws passed should be translated, so that the Maori could read and understand them. Takamoana is the eldest of the Maori members ; a very intellectual looking man, but does not understand one word of English. His face, although tatooed all over, is pleasant and intelligent. The Deceased Wife’s Sister’s Marriage Bill, when going through Committee, met again with strong opposition, and a lively discussion took place, Mr Stafford declaring he would oppose it at every stage He accordingly endeavored to do so until, by very unmistakeable divisions, showing the opposition to be both factious and obstructive, he and his party caved in. The first shot was tired by Mr Bunny, who moved that the clause be extended to legalise marriages with “ a deceased husband’s brother,”. Thirty - three votes to eighteen quashed that. Mr Stafford then proposed to insert the words “ marriage with a deceased wife’s n.ice,” sixteen voting witli Mr Stafford, and twentynine against. Mr 3he«han, the would-be head of the young New Zealanders, then moved that the words “wife’s step-mother” be inserted. At this stage a number of members objected to the factious course adopted wasting the time of the L-touae, one o£ your Otago members—Mr M'G ! ashan, 1 think—stating that the next absurdity would bo a proposal to insert the words “great grandmother.” The opposition at this stage

was shown to be so senseless that Mr Sheehan wisely withdrew his proposition. When the Bill comes on for its third reading, a final attempt will be made to throw it out. In Committee on the Highway Boards Rating Bill, it was agreed to make the rating on annual value of land or buildings, or upon their value for sale, the division being 38 to 19. Mr Reader Wood’s motion, regretting that the Government did not see lit to carry out the resolution of last session that the next,sitting of Parliament should be held in Dunedin, after an explanation by the Colonial Secretary, and a few remarks by Otago members, dropped. Mr Curtis’s motion came on at the evening sitting of Thursday. It was evident from the appearance of the House-every member being in his place, the galleries filled to overflowing, the ladies mastering strong, and the members of the other House being present in unusual numbers—that an exciting debate was expected. However, they were doomed to disappointment, Mr Curtis, who speaks generally very prettily and well, was not at all up to the mark ; he evidently thought he had a bad case on baud, and his speech was therefore a failure. The Premier rose to reply; he also evidently did not wish to press the case agamsfc Superintendents, and was comparatively mild He showed from Hansard— quoting the speeches in former sessions of various Superintendents—that the powers they now desired could not be constitutionally given to them in the form prescribed by the motion. He quoted also from the newspapers opposed to the Govern* merit, that the country was also against it. He concluded by saying that “the Government fe.t the principle in the resolution to be such a reversion of that adopted by the House, that without being placed in a false position, or being false to their trust, Ministers if the resolution was carried could not retain their seats.” Mr Fox on sitting down was loudly cheered. Mr T. B, Gillies follower! the Premier in one of his usual style of speeches cantankerous and nagging, which usually falls upon the House without the slightest sympathy being manifested for his effusions, and upon this occasion members made a bolt to the smoking room and Bellamy’s. Instead of showing a case for the Superintendents, o that they could carry out the works better, he got up an indictment as to the incapacity of the present Ministers. He said ‘' the only ause why Provincial and General Governments had not worked harmoniously, was because of the arrogance of Mmrters.” Mr Webster, of Southland, congratulated the Government that they had taken such a firm stand against the pretensions of Superintendent?. Evidently there was little desire on the part of members to speak, as considerable time elapsed before any one would get on to his leg?, so Young New Zealand moved an adjournment at half-past 10, evidently with the desire to consult with his friends, he being a strong ultra- Provincialist, The House, however, did not seem inclined to allow an adjournment, and vetoed the motion by 39 to 28. Mr Bathgate afterwards supported the resolution, aud said the whole system of Public Works ha i been previously mismanaged. After this, there being no apparent life in the debate, the House adjourned, Mr Fitzherbert to-day, Thursday, occupied all the forenoon sitting by a very long and tedious speech, which every one hearing it voted a bore. He moved the previous question, which took the Stafford clique by surprise, as it was believed from a caucus meeting they held in the forenoon, this section of the House would take advantage of the disorder in the Government camp, and turn out the Ministry by a flauk movement. Mr Fox at once accepted the a l endmeut, and thus ended this great Superiutendental scheme. The mountain only brought forth a mouse.