GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2010, 3 August 1880, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[PEE PBEBB ASSOCIATION SPECIAL WIEB.J HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, August 2. The House met at 2 30 p.m. Mr Reid presented a petition from the brewers and publicans of Westland against the imposition of the beer tax. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Readeb Wood gave notice that on going into committee on the Native Lands Sales Bill ho would move a resolution affirming the desirabilily of Native owners being allowed to dispose of their land without Government interference, after receiving their certificates from the Native Lands Courts. THE DUPLICATE CABLE. The Hon. J. Hall moved—“ That on Tuesday the House resolve itself into Committee to consider the following resolution:—‘That this House approves of the arrangement made by telegram, dated Slat May, 1879, for the Government of New Zealand joining in the scheme for duplicating the cable from Port Darwin upon the conditions sot forth in the memorandum of agreement between the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria and Colonel Glover on behalf of the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company, dated 4th December, 1878.’ ” The motion was carried. THE PBOPEBTY TAX. On the motion of the Hon. Major Atkinson, a Bill to amend the Property Assessment Act, 1879, was introduced and read a first time. ELECTION PETITIONS BILL. The House considered the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Elections Petitions Bill. The Hon. J. Hall moved that they be agreed to. Messrs Tole and Montgombet objected to the amendment which provided that these petitions should be tried by one Judge of the Supreme Court instead of two, as adopted by the House. Mr Readeb Wood said that the appointment of two Judges was an adaptation of the English law on the subject. Here the requisitions to be tried were, as a rule, much simpler than they were in England, consequently he thought the amendment should be supported. The Hon. W. Qisbobnk took an "opposite view. It would be most irregular to allow any one Judge to discharge the functions, as he would have to act in such cases as both Judge and jury. Mr Stewabt looked upon the two Judges as a cardinal point in the Bill, and hoped that the amendment would not be agreed to. The amendment of the Council was dissented from. The second amendment, providing for the trial of the petition, the words “in the district, or at some place adjacent thereto,” having been struck out by the Upper House, was likewise dissented from, and a committee appointed to draw up reasons for the dissent in both cases. NATIVE LAND BILL. The Hon. J. Beyob moved the second reading of the Native Land Bill. The Bill was framed with a view of rendering proceedings less costly and cumbersome than at present. Prior to the passing of the present Act in 1873 the cost of the court was £5467, while the revenue amounted to £7252. Since then the position of affairs has been reversed. Within the last two months the costs of the Court had been £8596, while the revenue was not more than £3292. The object of the present Bill was, in a great measure, to return to the practice in force prior to the passing -of the Act of 1873. Another object of the Bill was to enable the Government to advance sums to Natives for the purpose of making surveys, irrespective of the strict question of title altogether. As the Government looked upon the ascertaining of the title as an important step towards settlement, the Court would, as far as possible, be removed from the influence of the Government and would increase the inducements for Natives to take advantage of the provisions. Mr Tomoana (looked upon the Bill as an improvement on the present Act. Still it would stand further improvements, which he hoped to see effected in committee. Mr Tawhai also concurred in the opinion that the Bill was an improvement on the one now in operation. Sir William Fox thought that the Bill went in the right direction, but suggested that further powers should be conferred on the Court to take the expenses of lawyers and agents engaged by the Natives in these oases. Ho instanced the enormous bills of casts rendered by these parties, which had come under his own notice, and strongly advocated the necessity for a check being provided on such extortionate charges. Mr Readeb Wood supported the Bill, but stated that he would oppose the Native Lands Bales Bill, and proposed to move a resolution on the subject in reference to direct purchases.

Sir Qeoegb Geby spoke in opposition to the Bill. Mr DeLautotje and Mr Thompson also opposed the Bill, stating that it was a wellknown fact that the members of the present Government had been largely mixed up with Native lands transactions. The Hon. W. Eollbbton denied the statement.

Mr Thomson reiterated the statement that one member of the Government had been mixed up in the transactions. The Hon. W. Eollhsion again objected, and rose to a point of order, which the Speaker overruled. Mr Thomson continued to say that he was surprised that the hon. member was so vehement in bis protestations. Perhaps it arose from the fact that the cap fitted him. He concluded by again repeating that the Bill was an objectionable one. Mr Htjbst supported the Bill, and the Hon. W. Bbyce having replied, the motion for the second reading was carried. The House adjourned at 5 30. EVENING SITTING. The House met at 7.30 p.m. SECOND HEADINGS. The Hon. J. Beycb moved the second reading of the Native Lands Frauds Prevention Bill. The motion was agreed'to. Tho Hon. J. Beyoe moved the second reading of the Native Succession Bill. The motion was carried. NATIVE LANDS CODE! BILL. The House then wont into Committee on the Native Lands Court Bill. Major Te Whkobo moved tho insertion of an additional clause in the Bill, to the effect that before any case went into the Native Land Court it should be submitted to a Native Committee appointed for the purpose. The Hon. J. Bbycb opposed the amend mont, on the ground that it would lead to very great confusion. The House continued on the proposal to postpone the clause to which the addition was proposed. The Hon. J. Hall said that if it was only for a desire to consult with the Native Minister that the postponement was wanted, by passing the clause tho Native Minister would be prepared to meet the Maori members to-morrow and make such concessions as ho possibly could before the final passing of the Bill. If the members were earnest in their professions that would be deemed quite enough. Mr Moss said that what they had to complain of was the utter indifference with which their appeals were treated by Ministers; Not one word was vouchsafed to them in reply to their appeals, as if these appeals were utterly

unworthy of notice. Ho wm sure that members who were lying asleep on the Government benches would not submit to be treated in that way, if they wore in Opposition. Ho held in his hand a closely printed double demy, which he would read for their benefit.

Amidst cries of speak up and go on, the member said he would read it again. Mr Allweight said this was an example of what tho great Liberal Party could do. They had been ton weeks in session, and yet they had done nothing. In fact this groat Liberal Party would not allow them to do anything practically. Mr Gbobgb rose to a point of order. Mr London said that it was now past 2 o’clock and, if Government had no consideration for itself, ho hoped it would consider the state of tho House and tho timo of night. Mr Sbddon said that tho Bill had been before tho House for a considerable time, and they ought to have had their proposals on the Order Paper so as to have the questions fairly considered by the House. He proposed an adjournment for halt an hour with a view o {ascertaining if any arrangement could be arrived at. Sir G. Qbey said tho Maoris had asked for a consideration, which ho thought was perfectly reasonable. There was no attempt to coerce the Government but, on the contrary, the Government desired to trample on the rights of what he admitted was a minority in the House. Mr Geohoe moved that progress be reported. The House divided. Ayes, 13 ; noes, 22. The Chairman then loft the chair for half an hour. On resuming at 3 a.m.. Mr Speight said that if the Natives were satisfied, no one would oppose that portion of the Bill. The Hon. J. Baxes said if they would allow the clause to pass, the Government would consent to tho recommittal of the Bill to test any question or amendment tho Native members might bring forward. The proposed additional clause was withdrawn. Clause 16 was then put and agreed to, and the Bill reported as amended. Tho House rose at 3.30 a.m.