THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3297, 13 September 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[Bv Electric Telegraph.]

Wellington, September 12. Taiaroa has given notice that he intends to introduce a Bill to amend the Maori representation.

In reply to Mr O’Conor, the Minister of Works said the Government had not considered the report of the Colonial Industries ommittee, but would do so on the first opportunity. m reply to Mr Andrew, the Minister of Works said the Government did not intend to place on the Supplementary Estimates any sum for the introduction of salmon. In reply to Mr Creighton, the Premier said he could give no further information than Mr Creighton already had about the New Zealand University. The question was an involved one, and the Attorney-General's opinion was on the table. In reply to Mr Creighton, the Premier said the decision as to Gazettes in Bankruptcy was in the hands of the judges, and the Government were not inclined to interfere.

The report of the Colonial Industries Committee was read.

Mr O’Connor asked what steps should be taken to prevent witnesses from materially altering their evidence when a proof slip of it was sent to them for revision. He stated that material alterations had been made, and he desired an inquiry into the matter. — After some remarks from the Speaker, Mr U’Conor gave notice of motion of an inquiry. On the third reading of the Provincial Loans Bill, Mr Reader Wood said bethought it undesirable that the Bill should pass without an expression of opinion on the part of the House— which opportunity was not given on the second reading—the Bill being made political. He believed a dissolution was advisable, considering the Government were unable to carry their measures. The peculiar attitude of the Upper House was due to the state of the Lower one, and a want of confidence in Ministers. We reviewed the arguments used in favor of the Bill. He showed that log-rolling had already begun on a larger scale than ever, as instanced by the unanimity of the House over the Provincial Loans Bill last night. He would call for a division, —Mr Tribe was glad that an expression of opinion was to be taken, as the Bill was thoroughly objectionable. The limit of interest could be oasily evaded. It would drag the credit of the Colony in the Home markets down to the level of the weakest Provinces. —Mr Tolmie said that every time he looked at the Bill he liked it less. He would vote against it.—Mr J. L, Gillies would vote against the Bill, because prominent defects had not been remedied in Committee.—Mr J. B. Bradshaw explained why he had apparently left the party he had worked with for [eight years, and why he supported the Bill.—Mr Macandrew briefly announced that he supported the Bill.—Mr Vogel replied ; and the third reading was carried by 50 to 22.—Ayes : Messrs Studholme, T. Kelly, Fox, M‘Lean, White, J. E. Brown, Bathgate, Katene, O’Rorke, Richardson. Williamson, Mervyn, Luckie, Harrison, Johnston, Cuthbertson, Fitzherbert, Rhodes, Parata, Macandrew, Pyke, Andrew, Vogel,| Bunny, Steward, O’Conor, Parker, Atkinson, Bluett, Bryce, Shephard, Richmond, O’Neill, Carrington, W. Kelly, Jackson, T. L. Shepherd, Bradshaw, Creighton, Hunter, Reeves, Pearce, Webster, Henderson, M'Glashan, Seymour, Ormond, Taiaroa, Reynolds, and Swanspn. Noes : Messrs Inglis, J. L. Gillies, Wilson, Murray, Kolleston, Wood, Karaitiana, Thomson, T. B. Gillies, Clark, Kenpy, Webster, Collins, Williams', Munro, Sheehan, Tribe, Wakefield, Tolmie, Buckland, Reid, and Stafford, Mr Vincent Pyke has given notice of motion that the gold duty should be reduced annually by fourpence per ounce, to tak® effect from the first January next. He has also given notice of a question whether the Government will make' temporary arrangements £or the exportation of gold qndep bond for coinage at the Victorian print. September 13.

Lasjb night, the Drawbacks Act Amendment Bill; the Neglected Criminal Children Act Amendment Bill were read a second time, and passed through Committee. The Prisons sill was further considered in Committee, and tricing amendments when the Bill \yas r§porte4, aji4 read $ third time.

The Premier, in moving the committal of the Governor’s Salary Bill, said the proposal of Mr Stafford would be accepted in a modified form by tho Government-~the proposed salary to be L 5,000; travelling allowance, LI,OOO, and other allowances L 1,500. Regarding the Lowry Bay Estate, it was pro posed to borrow L 2,000 on the Governor paying the interest, and spend the money on improvements. If the Governor or his successor did not wish to occupy the estate, it would be sold, and the proceeds go to pay off the mortgage.—Mr Stafford approved of the plan.—Mr Tolmie said the Executive were ill paid.—The Bill was then withdrawn to make way for another,

The Otago Reserves Bill and tile Employ meat of Females in Factories Bill were read a second time. . .. ■ . in Committee on the Deeds Registration Bill, Mr Sheehan moved “That the retrospective clause be struck out.”—Messrs Vogel, Shepherd, Stafford, and Fitzherbert opposed, and Messrs Fox, Brandon, and Ho Heston defended it.—The Bill was thrown out by 17 to 11, it being made evident that the Bill was prepared in the office of a lawyer for the defendant in a case now pending, and would interfere with cases pending and raise a host of claimants for compensation. Tbe Deceased Wife’s Sister’s Marriage Bill passed through Committee on a division by 21 to 11, and was read a third time. (from our special correspondent.) Re the Hawke’s Bay Alienation Commission, Judge Richmond’s report is generally regarded as inconclusive and unsatisfactory. Most of the evils complained of by the Natives are admitted in the report to have existed, and yet the general verdict is in favor of the purchasers. For instance, the fact that the lands were not paid for outright, but “ taken out” on the trade system, is admitted, but passed over without censure. He further shows that in some cases “ grog ” formed as high as forty per cent, of the consideration, and yet Le considers such: conduct venial. The report further shows that reservations and conditions on tbe part of the Europeans were omitted frpm the deeds of sale, and only came eat on the investigation. But tbe Judge says in all cases “ undertakings were given to set the matters right,” and adds there is no ground for supposing “ that the commission was fraudulent.” The complaints as to unfair division of purchase money are dismissed very summarily, on the ground of “longacquiescence,” while the fact remains that there was no such acquiescence. As to bribes and secret consideration money, the report is silent; although it is admitted that the secret stipulations for grants to Earaitiana and his brothers were deliberately pre-arranged with the purchasers. The interpreters also are whitewashed. The report shows that the Messrs Hamlin were to be paid a lump sum “if successful,” and adds that such a proceeding is palpably objectionable, and yet concludes that the Hamlins acted all through as upright men. The report also condemns the practice of employing Government officers to act as interpreters, yet no censure is passed on the Keretanga purchasers, when it was proved that high Government officers employed other Government officers to act as interpreters and negotiators for them. As to the Natives being without legal advice or assistance, and being entirely dependent for such advice or assistance on the purchaser or his agents, the report, while admitting “ that these would be serious objections in a Court of Eq[uity between Europeans ” gives no weight whatever to such objections from Natives. The report goes on to say that there is no ground for the complaints made by the Natives, yet a large part of the report is occupied in proposing such alterations in the Native Lands Act as will prevent grievances arising in the future, 'the reports of the Native Assessors have not yet been sent in.