PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2268, 9 July 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[PBBBS ASSOCIATION TBLBGBAM.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, July 8. The Council met at 2.30 p m. The Port Chalmers Drill Shed Bill and the Wellington Queen’s Wharf Sale Bill were road a first time. Replying to the Hon, H. Lahmann, The Hon. F. Whitaker said that the Agent-General hod telegraphed that £50,000 was available for distribution amongst Government Insurance policy holders, in which all policies five years old would share. The Native Frauds Prevention Bill and the Native Succession Bill were read a third time and passed. The Banks and Bankers Act, 1880, Amendment Bill was considered in committee, and at clause 16 progress was reported, a number of amendments having been made. The Council adjourned at 4 40. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Fbiday, July 8. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Jokes gave notice for the production of all correspondence or reports, whether confidential or otherwise, from the Inspector of Prisons to the Government relating to gaols or gaol officers which have not already been laid on the table. EEPOET. Col. Tbimblb brought up a report from the Native Affairs committee as follows: —Report on the petition of Heta Hanmera and seven others. The petitioners, referring to land at Whakatahataha, ask - that their names be included with certain occupants in the Crown grant, and threaten if their words are not considered, they will take arms against the people whoso names are in the office in Auckland, and it is possible someone may be killed. I am directed to report as follows :—That this petition is couched in such language as precludes consideration by the House. The attention of hon. members should bo called to the impropriety of presenting petitions containing threatening or other improper language—R. Tbimblb, Chairman, A long discussion ensued upon points of order as to the proceedings before the committee, Sir G. Gbey asking the Speaker’s ruling as to the manner in which certain resolutions had been put by the chairman. Col. Tbimblb, as chairman, gave his version of the affair.

Mr Kelly, as chairman of the public petitions committee, stated tbe practice of that committee ; and the Hon. W. Rollbbton also spoke briefly as to what took place in the committee. The Sfbakeb said that the proceeding* in committee shonld be guided by the practice of the House, and that Sir G. Grey’* contention was right ; chat after a resolution was arrived at by the committee, the question of reporting that resolution to the House should be put as a separate one. Sir G, Gbey said what he wished to have done was to have the enquiry asked for by the Native* made, even though they had used improper language in their petition. A great and powerful race should not show unworthy touchiness in regard to a question of this kind. After some further discussion, the Hon, W. Rolleston, who had presented the petition, moved that it be withdrawn. Ho thought the Natives were as able to distinguish _ between right and wrong as they were in a matter of this kind. The Hon. J. Hall said that he thought when the Natives were beginning to use our institutions it was due to them to give them in a case of this kind a mild practical lesson as to how these institutions were to be used. Mr Bbyoe said there was no doubt whatever that the words of the petition were a distinct threat. Mr Russell doubted whether the petitioners knew they were using improper language, contrary to the forms of the House. If they had a grievance, however, it should be enquired into. Mr Gibboene considered the language intimidatory and insulting. No such petition should be considered. Mr Moss thought, from what he had seen, that it was utterly hopeless for Maori* to obtain justice in the ordinary way. The House should therefore treat them tenderly when they came to it. Mr Tawhaia said that the House should consider the subject of the petition rather than its language, considering from whom it came. He knew the language wa* wrong, but ho felt pity for the Natives in his district, who wished their grievance looked into in order to avoid bloodshed amongst people accustomed to warfare. Major Tb Wheobo strongly condemned the improper language contained in the petition, although he thought some leniency might be shown to Natives who were ignorant of what was proper in petitioning the House. They were not educated on the subject like Europeans. He had no doubt that the petitioners had a real grievance. Their object in using the language they did to certain other Maoris was intended to show how desirous they were that this grievance should be enquired into. He agreed that the petition should be withdrawn and the peti. tioners given an opportunity to bring their grievance before the House in proper form. Mr Tolb did not think the words of the petition were intended as a threat, bnt to show what might happen if certain matters were not attended to. Sir G. Obey stated his deliberate conviction that no insult was intended by the words of the petition. The petitioners were crying out for mercy. Bloodshed had already occurred over the land in question, and they were pointing out that unless the Court came and settled the matter more bloodshed would probably occur. There were no more loyal Maoris in New Zealand than those of the district. Dealing with old and tried friends it would be unworthy of us to reject their petitions or stand on trifles when they asked ::or justice. Mr Maoandbbw thought that the petition should be received, and the grievance enquired into. If a report of this debate were translated and circulated amongst tbe Natives it would do a great deal of good. Mr Lundon said that four men had already been killed over this land, and the Government had done nothing to vindicate the law. The words used meant not a threat, but that unless the law interfered trouble would arise. Sir W. Fox said that if what Mr Lundon said was correct, that after using similar language in the Native Court the Natives went and shot seven men, killing four, it showed the case to be much more serious than at first appeared. There was no doubt a threat was used against another section of Natives, which should not bo tolerated. The petitioner should if possible be treated as other people would who threatened to commit a breach of the peace. If that case was enquired into, and the decision was adverse to the petitioners, what would be the position. They said they would arm and take the law into their own hands.

Major Habkis thought that the House had no cause to complain, for if the petitioners threatened to kill certain other Natives, they promised to pray tor the House. He thought that the petition should be received. The Hon. W. Rollbbton having replied, stating that as Native Minister he would have the question of the alleged grievance enquired into, the motion for the withdrawal of the petition was agreed to. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Taiaroa, The Hon. W. Rolleston said that Government thought the appointment of successors to deceased Native owners in the Middle Island should be left with the Native Land Courts, and not to a commission. Ho would see that provision was made for the despatch of suoh business by the courts. Replying to Mr Montgomery, who put the question without notice, The Hon. J. Hall said that he could not say when the Redistribution of Seats Bill would be brought down. The delay arose in consequence of the late census returns not having been received until very recently. The framing of the Bill depended to a great extent on the result shown by these returns. They were necessary to enable the Government to fix the boundaries of the electorates, The House, however, might rest assured that no unnecessary delay would take place, and that ample time would be allowed before members were asked to vote on the Bill. Replying.to Mr Moss, who put the question without notice, The Hon. J. Hall said that the Entail Bill had been prepared, and the Attorney-General would that day ask leave to introduce it in the other Chamber. Replying to M> Reid, Tbe Hon. T. Dick laid he did not think that there would be any necessity for a special

scheme for the distribution o£ the vote for school buildings, as all districts were now pretty equally provided for. There still might, however, be some inequality, and Government would not bind themselves to a bard and fast rule as to the distribution. The probability was that the distribution would take place principally on the basis of population. Replying to Mr Barron, The Hon. J, Hail said that Government was not aware, previous to the accident at the Kensington railway crossing, that the crossing was dangerous to life and property. Replying to Major Harris, The Hon. J. Hall said that Government could not make any reduction in the chargee for supplying the Road Board in Franklin with scoria ash, as any reduction would involve the country in actual loss for railway carriage.

SUPPLY BILL. An Imprest Supply Bill for £250,000 was introduced by message from the Governor, and passed through all its stages. LICENSING BILL. The Licencing Bill was further considered in committee. Mr Dick moved the striking out of clause 12, and substituting an amended clause providing for the constitution of tbe licensing committee by election. The debate was interrupted by the 5 30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. LICENSING BILL. The following amendment in clause 12 of the Licensing Bill was adopted : — ll The licensing committee for an ordinary licensing district shall be constituted as follows :—The committee to consist of five persons, who may be resident either within or outside of the district, to be elected annually by the ratepayers of the district in the manner provided by the Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1876. The Resident Magistrate within whose jurisdiction the licensing district lies, and who is hereafter called ‘ the returning officer,’ shall be the returning officer for such district, and shall preside at every election therein under the Act. If there be no Resident Magistrate having jurisdiction within any licensing district, or if there be more than one such Resident Magistrate, then the Governor shall appoint such Rest, dent Magistrate or other person as he may think fit to be the returning officer. The returning officer of every ordinary licensing district shall by public advertisement appoint some convenient day in the month of November next, and thereafter at the same time in every year, but not earlier than fourteen days after the first publication of such advertisement, for the election of the required number of members of the licensing committee within suoh district, and such election shall be conducted in the same manner as the election of members of borough or county councils or road boards are conducted. _ Bach ratepayer shall only have ono vote within any district, but there may be more polling booths than one in a district.

Progress was reported and leave asked to sit again. NEW BILL. The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Bill was received from the Legislative Council and read a first time. SECOND HEADINGS. Sir Q. Gbey moved the second reading of the Affirmation in Lien of Oaths Bill. He said that he merely aimed that the concession made to Quakers and others ho extended to the whole of her Majesty’s subjects. Looking at the difficulties which had arisen in Great Britain on this point, he hoped that no objection would be made to the Bill. The Hon. J. Hall said that Government could see no objection, suggesting that the words on “ conscientious grounds ” should bo added. Sir G. Gbey hoped that the proviso would not be insisted upon, so as not to interfere with a free exercise of opinion in matters of this kind. The motion was put and carried. The Hon. T. Dick moved the second reading of the Masterton and Greytown Land Management Act 1871 Amendment Bill. The motion was carried. Mr Stewaet moved the second reading of the Otago Harbor Board Leasing Act. The motion was carried. The Otago University Reserves Vesting Bill was cancelled in committee, FIEE BBIGADE BILL. The Fire Prevention and Fire Brigade Bill was also considered in committee. On clause 1, Mr Andbbws moved that the Chairman leave the chair. The House divided—Ayes, 23 ; noes, 35. Clause 2, Mr Shbimski moved that the clause read the “ incorporated city or borough of Christchurch.” The motion was lost on the voices. Clause 3, Mr Shephard proposed to strike it out. The motion was lost on the voices. Clause 4, Mr J. T. Fishes moved that the clause be amended so as to restrict its operations to Councils from agreeing with other than fire brigades for extinguishing fires— Ayes, 22 ; noes, 26, Mr Bastings moved that clause 17 be struck out. The question was put that the clause stand as printed—Ayes, 22 ; noes, 26. On the motion of Mr Stevens, who was in charge of the Bill, progress was reported, and leave granted to sit again. On the motion that it be considered in committee that day month, Mr J. B. Fisheb moved, as an amendment, that it be considered that day six months. The amendment was carried on the voices. miscellaneous. The Cook County Rivers Bill was read a second time. The Drainage Bill wbb recommitted. The following new clauses were passed : “ Owner ” for the purposes of this Act includes all persons having a freehold interest at law or in equity or a leasehold interest either for life or lives, or for a term originally of not less than seven years, and whether as mortgagee or not, or in their own right or as representative of others.” “When the applicant is ordered to pay any sum by way of costs or compensation, the Court may by order direct that such costs or compensation shall be paid to persons entitled thereto before the applicant shall be authorised to commence the works authorised by the order.” “If at the time of applying for an order it shall appear, to the satisfaction of the Court, that any of the lands to bo affected by the works referred to in the application will bo benefited by such works more than they will be damaged, then the Court may by order direct that the owners of such lands shall, in such proportion as the order shall direct, pay to the applicant such sum of money as shall be therein fixed, not exceeding in the whole the cost of executing such works on the said lands.” “ Nothing in this Act shall authorise the making of au order whereby applicants shall be authorised to take a drain .through a garden or ornamental shrubbery without the consent of the owners or occupiers thereof.”

The Bill as amended wag reported. The Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act, 1871, Amendment Bill was considered in committee. The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. LICENSING BILL. The Licensing Bill was further considered in committee. Mr DELAtrrouß moved the addition of the following clause : —“ It shall not be lawful for any person whomsoever either to sell or supply or’give wine or fermented liquors or mixed liquor, part whereof is fermented in any quantity, respectively, which shall produce intoxication, to a person of the Native race within a Native licensing district.” The clause was passed. On the next new clause, “ If any person shall sell, supply, or give such spirituous liquor, wine, or fermented liquor to Natives contrary to the provisions cf this Act he shall pay for such offence a sum not exceeding £2O, to bo recovered in a summary way,over and above the penalty which may be incurred for the sale of such liquor without license ; provided always that no penalty shall bo recoverable for supplying spirituous liquor to a person of Native race, in case it shall be satisfactorily proved that the spirituous liquor so supplied was administered medicinally,” the House divided Ayes, 44 ; noes, 7. Third new clause —" The Governor, on the application of the owners of a block or area of Native land, on which no publican’s license has been hitherto granted, may by proclamation in the Gazette declare that no license shall be granted within such block or area, and it, shall not be lawful for the licensing committee to issue any license to take effect within an; block or area so proclaimed.” The clause was passed. Sir W. Fox moved the insertion of the

• I following now clauses :— ■“ No for I any lort of license shall be granted if a I memorial against the granting of the same, signed by Maori ratepayers within the district shall be presented to the licensing comi mittee, the genuineness of snch signatures to bo verified on oath, or declaration in the nature of an oath, before the committee by persons on whose promises the same have been signed.” , The Hon. J. Hall opposed tho clause, expressing the opinion that they had already gone as far in the direction of local option as it would be safe. The House divided—Ayes, 15 ; noes, 27. Sir W. Fox said that he would withdraw the others, being the civil damages clauses, of which he had given notice. Mr Hubsthotjss moved as nn additional clause—“ That no contract entered into by any licensee binding him to take intoxicating liquors from any person shall be valid.” He explained that the clause aimed at the pernicious system of what was designated bound houses. A division was called for. Ayes, 23 ; noes, 29. Tho clause was rejected. Mr Bastings moved that progress bo reported. This was negatived on the voices. At 1.30 the committee was still sitting.