PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION

Evening Star, Issue 4305, 13 December 1876, Page 3

PARLIAMENT OUT OF SESSION

Mr Kelly addressed his constituents at New Plymouth on Monday last. The following summary of his speech is extracted from a telegram to the ‘New Zealand Times The Government would have had to retire on the second day of the session, on Sir George Grey’s motion re the Piako Swamp, by a majority of one, if Mr Rolleston had been sworn in in the morning instead of the afternoon. It would be an interesting subject for a debating society to discuss—supposing Mr Rolleston had been able to vote, what would have been the result to the Colony ? Mr Whitaker’s resolutions re the laud fund were not carried because it was considered a breach of the Compact of 185G, and owing to the scheme proposed acting unfairly in some instances where there was ail available balance for local improvement. Taking the Colony as a whole, there appeared to be no gain by making the land fund Colonial revenue, and the charges on it Colonial. The estimated land fund for the year 1875-76, was L 836,725, and the estimated charges, L 831,766, leaving a balance of L 5,000, and as the Colony would become liable for public works to open up the land for sale, it appeared to him to be a doubtful advantage for the Colony, except that it would simplify accounts. He considered that though the financial position of the Colony required careful watching, it could stand a heavy burden being placed upon it, without excessive taxation. He said the House was very much dissatisfied with the condition of the Native Department, and that it required a radical reform. The way in which the department dealt with Native lands entrusted to its care for administration was very unsatisfactory to the public. He considered that Native interpreters for the use of the public should not be under the control of an. officer of the Native Department, but the Judges of the Native Lands Courts, as Native officers, occasionally forbade them to interpret for individuals. The officers of the Native Department should not be allowed to purchase or lease lands for their own benefit, as it created a suspicion in the public mind that they availed themselves of official knowledge to secure lands for speculative purposes, to the detriment of bond fide settlers. He disapproved of some of the provisions of the Disqualification Act, which conferred special privileges on some members of the Assembly, from which it excluded others. Members of the legal profession were unduly favored, and not withstanding the array of legal talent in the House, they appeared to overlook the fact that sufficient provision was not made for disqualifying members of the House contracting with the Government of which they were members. It prevented contractors being elected, but there was no disqualification if a member becape a contractor after I he took his seat in m House, neither was

2m U*blt to any penalty. Bo eoniidmd there would be an IniusoUmt pwviiiou for opening up land for actual nettUnwnt. It appeared to be nobody’s business, and the consequence would be that land sales would gradually fall off unless special provision were made for'this purpose.”