PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2229, 5 November 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AA’.ELLINGTON, Nov. 4. Tho House met at 7.30 n.-m. GENERAL. ' The Al-aori Lund Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Bill (Air. Carroll) was read a first time, also the NgatimnTu Landless Natives Bill (Air. Carroll). Tho Premier mentioned that tomorrow he would intimate to members the date when lie would bring down ihe Public AAtorks Estimates. Ho also hoped to announce when Parliament would prorogue. MEfKLE ACQUITTAL BILL.. 3. he House went into Committeo on the Alcalde Acquittal Bill. Air. Poland said he did not agree with the title of the Bill, land moved an amendment that the title he altered to “AVrongly Convicted Persons’ Acquittal Bill.” This would, he said, allow of oithe-rs situated similarly to Aleikle, or similarly to the position he was alleged to lie in, being considered under the Bill. Tho Premier said he could not accept the amendment, as the Bill was introduced to give effect to the Commission’s. recommendation.

Air. Hornsby, in speaking to the amendment, quoted a long extract from Adolph Beck and other'English cases.

Mr. Herries asked the Premier if ho intended to go on with the measure, or would he give way as on the former occasion? He thought tho Bill a just one, which ought to go through. Air. Biume suggested that perhaps provision could be made in another place by which advantage could be taken of making it a general measure.

Air. Remington urged the' Premier to withdraw the Bill and bring- down •a general measure next session. This would allow the House to get on with the business.

Air. Hc-ke, in supporting the amendment, said there was not a member of tho Committeo who would not support a general measure. Air. Lawry contended that the Bill was wholly against- the recommendation of tho Commission, which was in favor of a general measure. Air. Flatm-an contended that the Commission should have finally settled the matter, so that there would •have been no necessity to bring -a Bill before Parliament.

Air. Remington said it was remarkable that there were only two members of the Opposition (Alessrs. Reid and Allen) in the House whilst this important measure was being discussed. On other occasions the Opposition had twitted Government members with failing to discuss measures before the House, and complained that they (the Opposition) were left to do tlie work of the country.

The Premier said the Bill Wad been introduced by the Government with a desire that it should go through. He combatted the statements .that' the measure would be improved if made general in character. Aleikle’s name could not be actually eliminated from tlie records. A committee to be set up would inquire as to the question of compensation, but if such were not done it would be charged against the Government that it had made no investigation into this aspect of the case. The Royal Commission had not investigated the matter. In due course the committee’s recommendation could be acted on.

Air. Remington: The man says he will not be satisfied even if you give him £15,000. The Premier, continuing, said he did not care what he (Aleikle) said. He was only carrying out his duty. The debate is proceeding.