GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2025, 20 August 1880, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL WIBB ] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thtjbsdat, August 19. la the Legislative.Council, A very large amount of small and routine business was disposed of. The “ Hansard ” Committee reported that in debates where personalities were introduced omissions were mode by direction of the chief reporter. A continuance of the system was advised, subject to the supervision of the Speaker. The motion by the Hon. J. T. Peacock that the balances in the hands of Education Boards at the year’s end should be repaid to the Colonial Treasurer, was withdrawn, on the Hon. F. Whitaker pointing out that in that case the Boards would take care to have no balances. A return was ordered on the motion of the Hon. Captain Feahbb of the number of Wardens and Magistrates on the Otago Gold Fields, with their total cost, and the number of cases they had heard. The mover showed that there was ample room for very large economy in the department, there being the same number of officers at high salaries and allowances as when all the fields were populated. Their work was now almost nil, and one magistrate could do the whole of it. A return was ordered of the amount of land scrip issued and exercised on the West Coast of the North Island. The amendments made by the Lower House in the Rabbit Nuisance Bill were agreed to. . The Joint Stock Companies Act Amendment Bill was read a third time, and the High School Reserves Bill was read a second time. The Council adjourned from 5 to 7.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. Tho Canterbury Rivers Act, 1870, Amendment Bill ; New Zealand University Reserves Bill ; Jackson’s Bay Settlement Bill Mining Companies Act, 1872, Amendment Bill ; Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, Auckland College and Grammar School Bill, Wanganui Harbor Board and River Conservators Board Grants Bill were read a second time. Tho Execution against Beal Estate Bill and tho Dentists Bill were read a third time. The Council rose at 9 30.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Thhesday, Auotst 19. The House met at; 7.30 p.m. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Sheehan gave notice that he would ask the Government if it was their intention to bring down next session a Bill to abolish Waste Lands Boards. PBITATB BUSINESS. On tho motion of the Hon. J. Halt., it was agreed that private members’ business should take precedence at to-morrow morning’s sitting, WEST COAST SETTLEMENT BILL. The Eon. J. Beycb moved the second reading of the West Coast Settlement (North Island) Bill. Ho said that tho report of tho Commission had no doubt been read by all. But for that fact ho would have to go more fully into the circumstances calling for this measure. Tho West Coast problem was one of much difficulty; one that had lasted for a considerable time, and had been steadily growing. Ho was not going to inquire as to who was responsible for tho difficulty. It was one at all events that the present Government was not responsible for. They found it ready made, and as that was the case, they had to deal with it. The Government was responsible for the appointment of the Commission, and better men could not have been found to do the work. An hon. member said “ two,” but he said three, because tho Government named three, although only two acted. Ho was very sorry indeed to see the third gentleman retire. It was the object of the Government first to satisfy the Natives lhattheir just claims would bo fully recognised, and, second, to convince the Natives that tho authority of the law must bo established on the coast. The Commission devoted itself to the work determined to do justice to all parties concerned, a fact abundantly evinced by their report. They had made many important recommendations, those recommended pointing to a reasonable solution of the difficulty. The simple object of the Government was to deal with the difficulty in such a way as that it would not break out again in future years to the prejudice of tho body politic. It had been said that they were adopting the policy of their predecessors. He was content to do so, so long ns the course proposed was likely to achieve the purpose aimed at. So far from jealousy, he was prepared, if necessary, to take advice from his predecessor in office, or from any other person who was at all likely to render valuable assistance. There was only one mode of settling tho difficulty, namely, by setting apart land to satisfy the just claims of tho Maoris, which should ho recognised. At the same time, Government was fully determined that they should bo made to feel that they would be dealt with firmly. Government had opened the district by a road, and cut a number of tracks so as to intersect the district. Those proceedings, ho thought, had already had tho effect of convincing the Maoris that it was tho full intention of the Government to settle tho district and at the same time to give them and their claims ample j notice. It was the intention of the Government in a very short time to advertise a considerable portion of the land for sale. They would, however, take care to cut out ample reserves, so as to reserve for tho Maoris not only their cultivations, but likewise the land to which they attached special value. Government thought that tho land regulations at present in force wore sufficient to settle the district. Their great aim was to reserve a close settlement on the land. Government thought that the settlers must be but they had rejected the proposal for planting the district with military settlers. If tlw Maoris wore so ill-advised as to interfere with the settlors, then they must be punished. A settler could not at the same time be a soldier. It had

also been suggested that the unemployed should be placed on the land. Government, however, rejected that proposal, as to some extent demoralising. These men would rely on the Government, and not on what they could make off their land; Care would be taken not to irritate the Maoris. Although their direct acquiescence could not be secured, he thought, nevertheless, that an indirect acquiescence would be secured. In fact they had already to soma extent secured that acquiescence. Government was quite as unwilling to go to war as he believed the Maoris themselves wore, and anything in reason that would prevent warfare ought to bo done. Me believed, however, that they would bo able to avoid warfare. If the Natives had any desire for war it was not likely that they would allow their most warlike brethren to bo apprehended. IE they only managed a few first steps in peace and quietude he believed that the remainder of the work would be comparatively easy. _lt was proposed to make a new land district, which would be placed directly under the control of the Government, instead of a Land Board. The reason was to avoid complications. It was an exceptional proposal, but then the circumstances were exceptional. It was necessary that the Government should have very large powers, as without such it wouldbe absurd for any Government to undertake the work.

Sir G. Geby said that tho report of the Commissioners was worthy of the colony of New Zealand. It deserved all credit, and ho fully admitted tho trouble that they had gone to. Ho was not equally satisfied with the Bill. Instead of being a permissive measure the Bill should have adopted the report as a whole, and enjoined tho full carrying out of its just and righteous recommendations. In the passage of the Bill through Committee he would endeavor to get the Bill so amended as to convince the Natives that the whole report had been adopted, and that they would get all that the Commissioners recommended. The Bill should be divided into two parts, the one adopting tlie report and its recommendations, and the other embodying the penal clauses. If tho Government acquiesced in that view, he would give them all tho assistance he could in passing a measure giving them all just and necessary powers. Ho felt great satisfaction in the remarks made by the Native Minister. He had hoped, however, to hear him say that the men who had made the recommendations should be entrusted with the task of carrying them out. A course of that kind would enable gentlemen in all respects worthy of the colony to finish their career in a great and good work, and a work which must be of great importance to the colony in all time coming. Mujor Te Wheoeo complained that the reserves had been selected in the interior and not on the Coast. He agreed with the Native Minister that there was no likelihood of tho Natives entering upon hostilities. He said that ho would oppose the Bill if it was to be understood that it was to apply to Natives already in custody, Mr Pike criticised the Bill, contending that this was an attempt to deal with the Native race in a manner different from what they dealt with the Europeans. Any Maori who was merely suspected might be apprehended without a warrant. That was a most absurd proposal altogether. He saw no hope so long as a corrupt Government had a servile majority at its back. The' Speaker called upon Mr Pyke to withdraw the latter portion of his speech, which was done. Mr Stewaet said that the one feature of the Bill in which ho agreed was that these persons were to be brought before the ordinary tribunals of the country. As regarded its other provisions, they would require to be amended in committee, but still as a whole it met with his auproval. Mr Moss said that as a political measure the Bill was bad. Tho whole policy was nothing but an abuse of power. It had not a spark of courage or manliness in it. It enabled the authorities to put these men in prison without a reasonable excuse for so doing. Ha agreed with Sir G. Grey as to the Commission, and that the Commissioners ought to be entrusted with the power of working out the objects aimed at. Ho would

like to know why it was necessary to go on arresting theso men. They committed no acts of violence ; they were simply protesting against the injustice to which they had for the past fifteen years been subjected. They had looked in vain for redress, and now that they took quiet means for forcing us to consider their case they were met with imprisonment. It was virtually saying that they would not have the protection of the law, extended to the rest of her Majesty’s subjects. Mr Macandbbw also protested against the Bill. It was a Bill unworthy of Englishmen, and the future historian would refer to it as something similar to the doings of the Star Chamber or the Massacre of Glencoe.

Mr Taintji did not agree with the Bill, and would endeavor to have it amended in Committee.

Mr Keadeb Wood also bore testimony to the skill, care, and knowledge shown by the two Commissioners, and the exhaustive nature of the report and proposals made by them. The Bill was not entirely founded on that report, but it was proposed to settle the disturbances on the recommendations suggested in the report. The report did not recommend force, but to go to tho Natives themselves and negotiate terms with them. That course ought to have been adopted earlier. Tho language of the Native Minister that night had been quite different from what he used only a month ago. He had said that ho did not believe that the Natives wore actuated by hostile intentions, and in saying so ho was told that he was talking nonsense, Now, however, the Native Minister had altered his tone and adopted the very language he had previously denounced as nonsense. Had the Natives meant war they would have committed murders and rapine, and not ploughed land and allowed themselves to be apprehended. War would not be solely a loss to the Natives. If driven to desperation the North Island could be rendered almost unbearable to the Europeans. There was no need, however, for going into that question, as the proposal was ono of peace. He agreed with the proposal of tho member for the Thames, that they would do well to allow the administration of the Bill to rest in the hands of the Commissioners.

Mr Radiance demurred to tho proposal of allowing tho Commissioners to administer the Bill. The responsibility ought to rest with the Government of the day. Ho objected to tho large powers asked for under the penal clans 38 of tho Bill. He thought tho time for which these clauses should operate should be limited, aud bo would say limit them for a period of five years. Between the second and third reports a very different tone was apparent. The second report led to the opinion that the land north of the Waingongoro should bo restored to them ; tho third report modified that to a great extent, and recommended that only a portion of these lands should be restored. The difficulty was one which would not be so easily settled*,. . He asked why it was that military settlers occupying frontier settlements could not bo established. By that moans they would establish a sort of defensive peace between the Natives and tho general settlers. It was not necessary that they should be military men, but men trained to arms, who could bo called on to aid the Government in settling disturbances and defending tho ordinary settlors. Ho did not think that much restriction should bo placed on the Government. He did not believe that the intention of Te Whiti was one of peace. When they were strong To Whit: was remarkably humble, but so soon as they were weak or seemed to be weak then he showed his teeth. The Government must be strong and have power to enforce their authority, otherwise he did not believe that the district could be settled with any degree of safety.

The Hod. J. Ham said that it would be hopeless to think they could solve I he difficult y unless they could show the Natives that while they meaut to deal justly with them they were strong enough to enforce their authority. Ho bore testimony to the ability shown by the Commissioners, and tho manner in which they had devoted themselves to the work. The necessity for legislation of this kind had not originated with the present GoverEmont. The Government of which the member for Port Chalmers was a member, despite the fact that ho had soon cause to enter his protest against this Bill, had proposed much stronger measures. Ho quoted the Peace Preservation Bill of the lute Government in support of that contention. Taking that Bill into account, it was extraordinary to find him offering hia protest against the measure now before tho House. He did not think that tho Natives wore bent on war ; but, on the other hand, nothing was farther from Te Whiti’s mind than to submit to the tribunals of tho land. They wanted to set our tribunals at defiance, and tho only hope of a satisfactory solution was to give the

Government exceptional powers. It was, therefore, in the interests of peace and of the Natives themselves that the Bill was brought down. They were dealing with a state of things that they did not think would last very long ; therefore, he did not think there was any objection to the proposal of the member for Wanganui to limit the penal clauses to a period of five years. The settlers in these districts would, no doubt, be enrolled as volunteers, therefore all the purposes of a military settlement as had been suggested would be provided for. Were they to attempt to take the recommendations out of the report and put them into the Bill, it would in a great measure make the latter unworkable. The most that they could do was to set forth the intention of carrying out these recommendations so far as was politic and practicable. It would bo impolitic to vest the administration in the Commissioners, or in any one but the Government. All that the Government desired was that the difficulty should be settled upon the best and moat expeditious terms. Mr Sheehan moved the adjournment of the debate until to-morrow. Ho wanted to speak on the Bill, but was unable from indisposition to do so that night. 'The Hon. J. Beycb concurred, admitting that it was evident that Mr Sheehan was unable to take part in the debate that night, and they would therefore agree to the postponement as soon as other members had spoken.

Mr Saunders took exception to the report of tho Commissioners. The main reason of tho war of 1860 was that tho Arms Act of Sir George Grey was repealed, thereby enabling the Natives to arm themselves. In that respect the report was defective, as it did not allude to the fact. Colonel Teimble moved the adjournment of the debate till to-morrow at 7.30, which was carried. BILLS DISCHARGED. The Hon. J. Bevcb said that there wore a number "of Bills on tho order paper that he saw no chance of passing this session. Ho therefore moved the discharge of the following : Native Lands Frauds Prevention, Native Lands Contract Act Validation ; Native Lands Stamp Duties ; Native Reserves and Miscellaneous Native Claims Bills. The motion was agreed to and the Bills were discharged. MISCELLANEOUS. The Hon. Major Atkinson gave notice that he would ask for a further imprest supply tomorrow, Tho Hon. J. Hall moved the second reading of the Diseased Cattle Proclamation Validation Bill. Tho motion was carried. On the motion of the Hon. T. Dick the Licensing Bill was discharged. Tho House then went into Committee on the Electric Telegraph Act 1875 Amendment Bill. The following was substituted in place of clause 2 :—“Besides the powers enumerated in the thirteenth section of the Electric Telegraph Act, 1875, hereinafter called the said Act, the Governor in Council may, subject to the aforesaid section, make regulations for contracting with any persons or associations representing the public press, whether they be incorporated or not, for the lease of a special wire or wires and for fixing the terms and conditions, rates and charges, to be paid for the use thereof respectively. Every contract made under the provision of this section shall be made subject to the conditions following, that is to say : —(1) No lease shall be for a term exceeding two years, and every lease shall contain a covenant for the determination of the same by either party giving six months’ notice to that effect. (2) The rental shall be at the rate of two thousand pounds per annum for the use of a wire on all nights excepting Saturday and Sundays between the hours of 8 p m. and 12 midnight during the recess and between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. during the session of Parliament ; on all Saturdays between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and on all Sundays between the hours of 6 p.m, aud 7 p.m. (3) At the option of the lessees the aforesaid times shall be extended one hour on all days excepting Saturdays and Sundays, the rental in such cases to be at the rate of £3OOO por annum. (4.) Every lease shall be subject to the condition that any newspapers shall be admitted to the advantages of the lessees on payment in addition to this pro rata share of the apportioned contribution towards the rent of the wire, and towards general expenses, of the following entrance fees : Daily morning papers in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin not exceeding £150; in all other places either dailymorning or evening not exceeding £SO. Papers published at longer intervals than one day to be charged suoh entrance fee, not exceeding £SO, as may bo agreed on between themselves and the lessees.”

The following new clauses were added: — “ 4. All powers, duties, and authorities contained in or exercisable under the said Act in relation to the construction, establishment, and maintenance of the electric telegraph communication, and for the regulation thereof, are hereby extended and may be applied and exercised in relation to the construction, establishment, and maintenance of the electric communication by telephone and for the regulations thereof, and the said Act shall bo rend accordingly for the purposes of this section. (5.) It shall not be lawful for any person to erect, construct, establish or maintain any line of electric communication by telephone except the sanction of the Governor in Council bo first obtained for that purpose. Every person offending against the provisions of this section shall bo liable to a penalty of £2O for every day whereon he shall so offend.”

Progress was reported, and at 12.15 the House adjourned till to-day at 11 a.m.