GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2538, 27 May 1882, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tpbhsb association telegram] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, May 25. banks and bankers'act. The Hon. Mr Whitakeb gave notice Bill to amend the Banks and Bankers' Act. MSHEBSCEN. The Hon. Mr Chajtbbblain gave notioe to ask if the Government, when renewing assisted immigration, would consider the subjeot of introducing fishermen. HABBOBS ACT, 1878. The Hon. Mr Wilson gave notice to ask whether the Government have any intention to bring in a Bill to amend the Harbors Act 1878. * QUESTIONS. In reply to the Hon. Mr Lahman, The Hon. Mr Oliver said if the Wallsend Coal Mine Company, Westland, did not proceed to work the mine, their lease would bo revoked. Replying to the Hon. Mr Chamberlain, The Hon. Mr Whitakeb said Government did not know the reason why the Thames Scottish Volunteers have resolved to disband. Replying to the Hon. Captain Eraser, The Hon. Mr Oliver said the Government were not aware that prisoners were handcuffed betweeen the Dunedin gaol and th» Court, but if it were so, the practice would soon be stopped, as the Government were having prison vacs made. In reply to the Hon. Captain Eraser, The Hon. Mr Olitbb said that the new Wellington prison was not to be a central gaol for the colony, but was meant for the detention of long sentenced prisoners whom it might be thought suitable to send there, and who would be chiefly from the North Island. thb Dublin mubdebs. The Hon. Colonel Brett moved "That the Governor be asked to send an address to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, expressing the Council's sorrow and abhorrence at the Phosnix Park murders," but after a brief discussion the motion was withdrawn, so that Colonel Brett might move one mora general in its terms as to the Irish outrages. SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were, on the motion of the Hon. Mr Whitaker, read a second time without debate, and referred to the statute revision committee : Companies BilL Fisheries Bill. Friendly Societies Bill, Inspection of Maohinery Bill, Justices of the Peace Bill, Lunatios Bill. ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN/; The Hon. Colonel Whitmobb suggested, that the Council should send an address to the Queen on her escape from assassination. The Hon. Mr Whitakbb said, as the Governor had expressed the feelings of the whole colony, it was unnecessary. No action was taken. bib gbobge WHiratoßE. The Hon. Dr. Mbkzies, amid loud applause, congratulated Sir George Whitmore upon hit now honors. Sir George Whithobe, in replying, expressed his Bense of the courtesy of hit political opponents to whom he owed it, and said it was a recognition, perhaps a little tardy, of the servioes of those who fought under him, and it wbb thus he valued it. The Council adjourned at 3.25. HOUSE OF REPBESENIATIVES. Fbidat, May 26. The House met at 2 30. NOTICE OJ MOTION. Mr Bbacken gave notioe that he would ask how the officer in charge came to be appointed to Mount Ooob Central Prison when there were many officers his seniors in the service. OOBBUPT PRACTICES ACT. Mr Wynn Williams brought up the report of the Select; Committee on the Corrupt Practices Act. [The text appears elsewhere.] Mr Macandrew asked what bearing the report would exercise on the Stanmore election. Mr Winn Willi aits replied that the order of reference ccn'ained nothing that would enable them to deal with that particular case. He thought the House was quite prepared to deal with it by speoiallegislation. He moved the adoption of the report, which was put and carried, with the addition that effect should be given to it by legislation. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Levestam, The Hon. Mr Dick said the Government did not propose to interfere with the Employment of Females and Others Act, 1881, in the direction of changing the half-holiday from Saturday to some other week day. If employers were allowed to select their own day, the Government was apprehensive the half-holiday would disappear altogether. Replying to Mr Levistam, The Hon. Mr Johnston said the practice in Lyttelton was to issue free railway passes to masters of all veesels over 250 tons, irrespective of the nationality of the vessel, foreign or colonial. Ksplying to Mr Levestam, The Hon. Mr Dick said the Government did not intend to bring in a Bill extending the provision of the B.M. Evidences Act, 1870, so that it might apply to the Abolition of Imprisonment for Dabt Act, 1874. The subject would be unddr consideration wten the reports and Bill of the Judicature Commission were received, and it would be for the members if not satisfied to move in the direction indicated, when the report was under consideration. Replying to Mr J. McKenzie, The Hon. Mr Rolleston said the Government proposed certain alterations in the Land Act, but these did not go in the direction of (1) having the Waste Lands Boards elected in place of nominated ; (2) the ballot system introduced in disposing of deferred payment lands in place of the auction system; (3) the introduction of provisions limiting the area that can be held or occupied by one person or company on pastoral lease. Replying to Mr Fish, The Hon. Mr Dick said, if the business of the session permitted, a Bill would be brought in this session to extend the franchise in thedirection of giving a vote to leaseholders. Replying to Mr Fish, The Hon. Mr Dick said the Government had no intention of altering or amending the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881, and one member had tabled a notice in that direction.

so that any alteration deemed necessary could then be considered. Beplying to Mr Fiah, . The Hon. Mr Dice said meohanios and others engaged in the railway workshops ■wrought not moro than eight haurs per day. Driver! were not quite go regular as to hours, but in the aggregate he did not think they exceeded that time. However, he had oulled for a return in order to satisfy himself on the point. He had no desire of contravening the eight hourß' movement any more than was absolutely necessary. Replying to Mr Wynn Williams, The Hon. Mr Diok said the report ot the judicature commission would b<> *eady next week.

PIBST HEADINGS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—To Amend the Education Aot, 1877 (Mr Pyke) ; Native Rsserveß (Mr Bryce) ; To Enable the Otago Harbor Board to Obtain Further Borrowing Powers (Mr Fish) ; The Government Life. Insurance (Major Atkinson) ; To Repeal the Gaming and Lotteries Aot, 1881 (Mr MoDomld); Industrial Schools (the Hon. Mr Diok) ; To Prevent the Purchase of Votes for the Election of Members of the House of Representatives (Sir George Grey).

SECOHD SHADINGS. The Customs Law Consolidation and the Customs Duty Consolidation Bills were read a second time.

THE OHAIBMAK6HIF. The Hon. Mejjr ATKINSON applied to ~ha.ro the motion for the election of Mr Hurst as Chairman of Committees further postponed till Tuesday. Mr Macahdbew objected, and thought it should be gone on with at once. Mr Titbhbtjlli also objeoted to the postponement, and suggested that the proper way would be to dispose of the question by ballot. The postponement was agreed to. BANKRUPTCY lAW. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Eiok, it was agreed to apDoint a Select Committee, to oonniat of nine "members, to enquire into and report on the opsration of the present Bankruptcy Law, and whether it requires any further amendment, and, if so, what amendment ; or whether any, and, if bo, what other system would, in the opinion of the committee, be more effeotive for the objects to be attained, and to confer with any similar committee appointed by the Legislative Oounoil, and to report within one month. At 3.40 the House adjourned to 7.30.

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30.

WEST COAST PEACH PBEBBBVATIOS BILL. The Hon. Mr Bbtoe moved the second reading of the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill. Speaking for himself, he cared little for the passing of the Indemnity Bill. It? non-passage might only inconvenience himself, not the publio interest. Buoh being the case he cared very little about it. The discussion on West Coast affairs might be taken cither upon that Bill or the Bill under discussion. He preferred, however, its being taken on this Bill. He proposed to place them in full possession of all the circumstances leading up to the neocssity for this Bill. He had never shirked personal responsibility ..When it was to the interest of the publio, he should accept suoh responsibility. The Government regarded both these Bills as necessary for the good government of the country. It was obvious, from all the oir oumstances of the case, that a Bill of this nature was neoessary, and he hoped that members would be allowed every latitude an discussing the whole subjeot on this Bill. Sir Gbobgb Gbby interrupted by saying this BUI was really one of attainder against two individuals, and therefore on a point of order he coasidered the discussion should be confined strictly to their case. Their liberty and happiness were at issue, and he protested on their behalf against the importation into the discussion of anything not affecting them.

The Speaker said he did not see anything in the point of order railed. The Hon. Mr Bb*Cß continued. The cir«umstances went as far back as 1860. _ He traced the history of Native troubles arising at that time at Waitara. The war on that occasion was commenced in a most cruel manner. From that time to this, a period of twenty-one years, troubles on the West Coast bod continued ever sine?, and the settlers had been in a constant state of danger. Members who weie inclined to sympathise with the Maoris should bear these facts in mind. He knew of families that bad been rained by these disturbances. It was in consequenoe of these, troubles the proclamation of 1865 was issued confiscating a large tract of land. A few loyal Natives located in the district could not possibly affect the result of that proclamation. Moreover, they were warned that if they did not come in within a specified time they would have to bear the effects of the proclamation as issued. In 1868 the war again broke out under the chief Xitokowaru, On that ocoasion the ■ettlersj were threatened to within a distance of ten miles of Wanganui. The greatest injury was inflicted on the settlers on that occasion, and these men were well entitled to sympathy and protection. At that time their forces had in a manner become demoralised. Under Colonel (now Sir G.) Whitmore, that state -of things was rapidly remedied. If for no other purpose, for his services on that occasion he deserved the honor just conferred upon him. The Natives retreated to the head waters of the Waikoto, and Sir Q-. Whitmore was about arranging an expedition against them when he was stopped by a change of Government. That was an unfortunate affair, as he believed that by the war, if followed up as originally intended, much trouble would subsequently have been saved. He denied that there was even yet a let intention on the part of Government to abandon the confiscated lands. When the Natives first went back to the confiscated land their tone was -very humble, but it gradually beoame mare and more defiant. He argued from that fact that the Natives themselves did not imagine the confiscation had been abandoned. He next referred to ■the times of Te Whiti. He, Te Whiti, was a prophet. The Taranaki oountry had always been a remarkable place for prophets. Ha commenced fifteen years ago by holding halfyearly meetings. About four years ago their half-yearly meetings were turned into monthly meetings, and latterly he advised those who came' to stay there and plant food . for themselves. Whatever the origin of his power, there could be no doubt that it was most hurtful, both to the Natives and to the colony. The Natives had impoverished themselves in a most extraordinary way to supply food for these meetings, and there was a constant danger with suoh a number of men at hand to do what he (Te Whiti) might desire. Aotnated partly by hope and partly by fear, they expeoted him to do some extraordinary work. Time after time he promised to raise the dead. With such power and influence over thorn was it extravagant to imagine they were roady to do bis bidding, however great the outrage might be. They had the idea that be was able to be with them, and the fear of that was muoh stronger in them than the fear of death itself. There were 2500 Natives assembled there in November, and he believed that up to the last moment they fully expected to see Te Whiti work some extraordinary miracle. The circumstances under which Hiroki was arrested showed that ho fully expeoted to see the volunteer foroes fall paralysed by Te Whiti's supernatural agencies. Te Whiti olaimed to be the Father, the Bon, and the Holy Ghost.* That showed the great" power he had exeroised over the minds of his followers, They had some grounds for believing that Te Whiti had some great power behind them. Whil« others of the Native race had engaged in battle and been dofoated, he (To Whiti), with no force behind him, had stopped, as it were, the tide of civilisation in that direction. Government after Government had been determined to oooupy that land and proceed with settlement. The Grey Government, when it came into office, sent surveyors on to the plains, and he argued from that faot that that Government, at all events, did not look upon the confiscation as abandoned. At no time did Te Whiti show the slightest inclination to have the country divided amongst his own people and the Europeans. There was no limit to his ambition. It was not only the whole of the confiscated land he wanted, he aimed at far more than that. When the Native Minister of the day visited Parihaka to oome to some arrangement, he was most unceremoniously dismissed without receiving: an audience. Then, again, the Governor invited Te Whiti to a conference, when he wrote the well known reply—" The potato is cooked." Then, again, subsequent attempts made in the same direction were frustrated. He sent himself a message with a latter stating what was about to be done, and the letter was returned unopened. He argued from that that every poasible en-

deavor was made to bring about an amicable arrangement. A few day» after Mr Sheehan visited Parihaka, the mrveyora were ordered oS the land. For a few month* afterwards nothing was done, andthia went to strengthon the feeling in the Maori mind, At the expiry of two mooths further aggressions took pliice; the ploughmen wore sent out, not to plough the confiscated land, but the settlers' land.!. It was not till then that the Govornmeni of the day roused itself to aotion, and increased the Armed Constabulary, and the ploughing wan put an ead to. Considering all the triumphs To Whiti had from time to time achieved, it was not surprising that tho foul ing of resistance was strengthened ia tha Maori mind. He went on to oommont on the non-resistance shown by the ploughmen when arrested, and argued it was a further evidence in the belief in Te Whiti'e supernatural powers. That was the condition of affairs when the Hall Government took office, and the question was what was to be done ? The subject maturely considered by the Government was threefold: first, justice to the Maoris; second, that settlement should be advanced firmly ; and thirdly, that the place should as soon as possible be populated with a European population. A. Royal Commission was appointed to devise the best method for aohieving these purposes. The practical result of that commission was to make reserves amounting to 23,000 aores out of a total of 253,000 acres. That revenue was sufficient to provide an annual income of £30,000 or £40,000, amongst a population of 2500 or thereabouts. The whole of the lands oonfisoated in 1865 would not at that time have been worth one-half what the reserves proposed to be made would now yield. He would be told about the ! unearned increment. Tho fact was that the unearned increment in this instance had been produced solely by European enterprise, and what was more, it was carried as against the will of the Natives there. It was proved to plaoe these reserves in the hands of the publio trustee, whioh was a further guar' antee that the trust would be faithfully administered. Subsequently the House voted £60,000 for making roads through that district, and he was happy to be able to bear testimony to the fact the vote had been well spent. The objeot of these roads was to promote the settlement of the country, and facilitate the operation of the armed-oon-stabulary, and preserving the public peace. As regards settlement there were now about 1400 Europeans settled in the district. He next referred to the Maori fencing operations. He saw some of these men himself, and to such an extent were their passions roused that if a bayonet had been run through them they would have been quite insensible to it. He scouted the idea that these men were actuated by a desire to have their case thrust on the notioe of a oourt of law. In further token of that fact he instanoed a ciroumstanoe which occurred when Te Whiti and Tohu were in prison. Legal assistance was tendered to them, and on the legal gentlemen visiting them in prison they were found perusing the Book of Revelations for the avowed purpose of ascertaining what next would take place. They would have no legal assistance, but preferred trusting results to the prophetio notion. The ploughmen and Lncers wore liberated in the hope that a mild course would induce them to listen to reason, but such was not the oase. They returned to their old haunts, and became as defiant as ever. It was at such a crisis as this that the Government came to the oonolusion that the thing would have to be grappled with. It had Jbeen said that they showed a strong predisposition to war. He deDisd that. He had seen the effects of Maori war on European settlements, and he was most adverse to see these calamities repeated. He quoted from a speech made by Te Whiti at a meeting of his followers to use armed resistance, and not to allow themselves to be taken prisoners. It was true that as the sfcb of November approached that tone was modified, but he contended that was done in view of the firm stand being taken by the Government. What waß done was not in tho direction of provoking a war, but for the express purpose of averting one. He passed a handsome compliment to the "Volunteers for the ready assistance they had rendered. Although not a military man himself, he had seen active service as a volunteer, and he said that that force whioh was marched into Farihaka was a most efficient one—a force of which any country might have been proud. Whether they were proud of them or not, he could assure them he was proud of them. So complete was the position that at no time could they have been taken at a disadvantage. Then again he argued that this muster of Volunteers exercised a most salutary effect on the Maori mind, and would do a great deal towards eradicating warlike feeling from the Native mind. It had alto a beneficial effect upon the mind of the colony at large. It showed conclusively that there was a most effective force ready to assemble at short notice for the common protection, Te Whiti was sow arraigned on the charge of sedition. Whether that charge was proseouted or not, it would never do to allow him to go baok to Parihaka. It was in view of that fact the Government had brought down this Bill to prevent him going baok. If he went back, the Maoris would be sure to re-aßsemble, and 2000 or 3000 could not be assembled there without making some mischief. There was still a large supply of food there, and nothing would prevent the Natives from assembling there in large numbers if Xe Whiti returned. He bad been blamed for destroying the potato crop. If he had done his duty he would have destroyed a great deal more. All he destroyed was about forty-five acres, which had been planted on land illegally fenced in. That was all he did, and the Natives quite understood that faot. There were still a great deal of potatoes there, and he had given facilities to the Natives to take them away. If this Bill were not passed the further responsibility would not rest with him, but on those who prevented its passage. What had been done had been done well, and he had no reflections to oast upon himself. He knew when he rejoined the Government he was risking his life and reputation, and he would rather forfeit that life than think about apologising for what had been done. Sir Gboeqb Gkby thought that the Indemnity Bill should have been taken first. Upon the whole he agreed with what was proposed to be done, but he disagreed as to the mode proposed. A great work had been done. The Native Minister had had to pass through a great difficulty. Any man upon whom the lives of hundreds depended had a great difficulty to contend with. Full allowance ought to be made for the great difficulties by whioh he was surrounded. Under these circumstances it was not to be expected that all would be agreed to as the propriety of every step by whioh the solution had been brought about. The thanks of the colony were due to Mr Bryce. He had brought about a peaceful solution of a difficult problem without shedding a drop of blood, without a single aot of cruelty, and without doing anything whioh reflected discredit on the oolony or could cast a slur on its reputation. For this all honor was due to Mr Bryce, and he hoped the House would pass the Indemnity Bill without a murmur, and give the Native Minister what was undoubtedly his due. But in bringing about this peaceful solution Mr Bryoe had a great friend. That friend was Te Whiti. He fully believed that Te Whiti'e intentions were peaceful. Te Whiti had embarked in a most dangerous project; he had undertaken to do what he oould not perform, and it would have been all but impossible for him to have restrained his followers much longer. If the country was threatened with danger from the influence of one man, he believed it was perfeotly right to keep that person in safe custody. He thought they were quite justified in preventing Te Whiti from returniag to Parihaku. That was the course to which they should assent; but he did not think they should condemn Te Whiti without allowing him to be heard, and that was just what the preamble of this Bill did, and he would suggest that the preamble should be struck out, and the Bill left to say simply that it was necessary for the safety of the country that a certain chief should be detained in safe keeping. In that way they would get out of all difficulty, and at the same time place the country in a position of security. The same thing had been done before. A previous prophet had been detained in that way, and when he was again restored to liberty he oonfessed that he was not a prophet. Ho was to have been a prophet, he said, but his intercourse with the Europeans had destroyed his influence. The Native Minister was in no way responsible for the Native difficulty. He found it after it had been created, and he had acted atriotly as he (Sir George Grey) would have done had he remained in office, although probably Mr Bryoo had done it better than he would have been able to do it.

Other speakers followed, and at 12.5 the House, on the motion of Mr Sheehan, rose.