HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 34, 23 August 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(?E J XUTITBB PBBSS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, August 21. Mr Sh.eeh.au ' continued the debate on the committal of- the Native Land Act Amendment Bill. . He regretted th© abolition of the Crown's .pre-emptive right, but doubted w'hsther it could now; be resumed. There were only two courses ©pca — either free trade ia land, with ample reserves, or tho resumption, oi purchase by the Crown. He strongly urged a recognition of the existiag equitablo rights, which would be destroyed if thi* bill passed' in its present shape, thereby causing preat hardship. .VJ r Fish supported the bill. '--~* _ ■Mr Taiaroa did not think that the hill would prove beneficial to the Natives. Mr Macandrew did not agree in the exclusion of lawyers from: the court, and * thought that the bill would generally ; intensify existing evils. > , \ Mr Stevens strongly opposed the bill. What was wanted was more courts, so aa to- get Native titles individualised. /H» moved that that the bill ■be committed this day six months.' r Mr Tumball seconded this! The bill only proposed to lock the door after tho steed was stolen. -," Mr Ivess supported the bill, and' Mr Joyce objected to it. ( , Mr Hobbs.supported the bill, but would recognise existing righto. Mr Stevens' amendment was lost on t> division of 52 to 8. Mr Bryee having briefly replied, the> Hous© went into Committee on the bill. In Committee, clause 6 was struck oufc in order that anew clause might hereafter be inserted. Clause 7 was ' amended by adding a proviso defining the trnn Native 1 amd . The reraai ning clauxes were passed with slight verbal amendments,. and after i • *■ *■''••' biicf discussion, the bill was" reported' and ordered to be' re- committed oa Thursday to consider now clauses, and the House rose at 12.40 a.m. . -> r

Wellington This day. The Counties Act Amendment Bill was read a third time last sight, on the motion of Atkinson, without debate. The House went into committee again ou the Land Act Amendment Bill. A long discussion took- place on clause 36, which proposed to repeal the clause giving deferred payment holders rights of purchase , at th » expiration of six years. Sir Geo. Grey reiterated the charges against the Government of administering the land laws and those retatinffto Native reserve* se as to enrich aud benefit their friends. Mr Solleston declared there was not one word of truth ia the accusations, con? stantly made. Thoy were slanderous and naworty of an English gentleman. Sir G. Grey repeated them, and said he woald prove them if given a committee and allowed to obtain the necessary return*. Major Atkinson said the GoTernment would gladly give a committee if the hun. gentleman would propose one, and state his charges iv writing so that they could -be fairly met. 'After soma further personal discussion, the clause as printed 'was carried on division' by the chairman's casting vote. The remaining; clauses of the Land Bill, as originally priated, were agreed ,to. The, Bill was then reported as amended aud the House rose at 2.20.