GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2625, 5 September 1882, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Lfbsss association telegram.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Monday, Sbptbkbeb 4. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. OBAEBI NATIVE BBBBBVHB. In moving the seoond reading of the Orakei Native Beserves Bill, The Hon. Mr Whitaekb said the reserves were in the immediate vicinity of Auckland, and although the land was worth between twenty and thirty pounds, the Natives were unable to do anything with it. The second reading was carried. BILLS. The Wellington Harbor Board Bill and the Corporation Land Act (1880) Amendment Bill were read a third time and passed. The report on the Trustees, Executors, and Agency Company (Limited) Bill was adopted. QUESTION*. In answer to the Hon. Mr Chamberlain, The Hon. Mr Olivbh said he had no knowledge as to whether the Government intended to prohibit the importation of toy pistols from America. In answer to the Hon. Mr Fraser, The Hon, Mr Whitaekb replied that all reserves in Hawke’s Bay were under the control of the Natives. WAIHBMO. The Hon. Mr Ebvnolds moved that the Council resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider whether the resolution carried on the 31st August, on the motion of the Hon. Mr Miller, in reference to the proposed county of Waihemo, should not be read and rescinded. The Hon. Mr Whitakeb hoped the Council would negative the motion. After discussion, the motion was withdrawn. IN COMMITTEE. The Council then went into committee on the Resumption of Lands for Mining Purposes Bill. After discussion, the Bill was passed, and made an order for to-morrow, CHATTELS SBOUBITIB3 ACT. The Hon. Mr Hast moved the second reading of the Chattels Securities Act Amendment Bill. The debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. b veningTsit ting. The Oonnoil resumed at 7.30 p.m, MOBTSAGBB RELEASE BILL. The Hon. Mr Buoeley moved the second reading of the Mortgages Belease Bill. The Hon. Mr Whitaker said the Bill oould do no barm, and therefore he would not oppose it. He looked upon it as a piece of superfluous legislation. MUNICIPAL CORPORATION BILL. The Hon. Dr. Pollen moved the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Act (1876) Amendment Bill. The second reading was carried, and made an order for Thursday next IN COMMITTEE. The Council then went into committee oa

the following Bills:—Canterbury Hirers Aol (187 C) Amendment; Ohoka and Eyre’ on Domain Board Empowering; Sheep Act Amendment ; Napier High School. They were all repotted with amendments, and the first and fourth made an order for to-morrow; the second and third were road a third time and parsed.

CHATTELS AND BBOURITIBS ACT. On this Bill again being called on, the Fbbuibb reviewed its provisions, but only gave a qualified approval of the measure, ar.d hoped it would stand over until next session, when the Bankruptcy Act would be brought forward. Tee Hon. Mr Wilson expressed some doubt as to whether the Bankruptcy Bill would ever pass. After further discussion, The Hon, Mr Hast asked leave to wltadraw the Bill, as it was too late in the session to make the necessary amendments. Leave granted. LAND BOABDS BILL. The Hon. Mr Wilson moved the second reading of this Bill. The Hon. Mr Holmes moved it be read this day six months. The amendment was carried by 20 to 8. THB BBBBBTBB IN MININS DISTBICTB BILL. This Bill was then committed and reported with amendments, and made an order for to-morrow. The Counoil adjourned at 10 p.m. HOUSE OF HSP3B3ENTATIVE3. Monday, Septbmbhb 4. The House met at 11 o’clock. NATIYB AFPAIB3. Colonel Tbikblb brought up the report of the Native Affairs committee on the petition of Mr Taiaroa, and moved that it lie on the table. Mr Taiaboa moved that it be now read. He alleged that it was not considered by the committee, and that it was decided on party grounds. The Hon. Mr Bbyob defended the committee from the imputation. He warned the Natives that these taunts and imputations would not be tolerated even from Natives. The report was agreed to on a majority cf 7 to 6, four of the former being members of that race. That was what transpired on previous occasions. Since then reports bad jeen recommitted at the instigation of the petitioner. Farther evidence was taken, and the report now brought was the almost unanimous finding of the com rittee. What he protested against was the gross imputations mode by the Native members when matters did not suit their views. If each conduct was persisted in the Native affairs committee would have to be abolished altogether. Mr Tb Whboeo said he was quite sure that no good had ever been derived by the Natives from this Committee, and no great harm would be done if it were done away with. As Maori members they only oon sidered Maori claims that were just. He supported the amendment that the report be now received.

Mr Shbbhan, without defending the objectionable statements made, contended that the imputation was not stronger than had often been made by the European members. The Maori membera had been charged with being a combination on behalf of Maori people. He asked if they were the only combinations in that House. They had West Coast combinations, provincial combinations, and all sorts of combinations. With regard to this claim, he reminded them that all sorts of promises bad been made in connection with this matter. In other words, it was found that this claim had not been satisfied. This was a State question, and they should have taken every passible evidence on the subject, which had not been done. He regarded thia merely as a protest, without imputing motives to anyone. Mr Daniel said that the South Island Natives wore not being fairly dealt with, and regretted the position taken up by the Native Minister. The fact was that all that was given to the Natives for the vast county of Southland would not amount to a snm of a farthing for 600 acre*. Mr Tawhai spoke in snpport of the amendment, Mr Maoansrbw drew attention to the fact that a Select Committee was sitting without the authority of the House, The Hon, Major Atkinson moved that authority be now given. Sir J. Hall painted out that the motion under circumstances might operate nufairly. Members might have remained away from their committees knowing they had authority, and in their absence important business might be transacted. The House divided. Ayes, 22 ; noes, 40.

The motion was lost, and order* were given that any committee sitting that day be given to understand that they had no authority, and that the business transacted was in* valid.

The debate on the report of Mr Tairoa’s petition was resumed, Mr J. B. Whith suggested that the committee be remodelled by excluding members of the Native race from sitting on that committee. Mr Tomoana considered it was a groat mistake to do away with the South Island Commission appointed to deal with their claims, Mr Turnbull defended tho proceedings of tbe committee, adding that if the petitions again came before the committee, the report would be much less favorable to the claimants than it now was. The motion was put—Ayes, 46; noe», 14, EAILWAT BMBOWEBINQ BILL. Oa the motion of the Hon. Mr Johnston the Tauranga East Coset and Hot Lakes District Railway Company, Limited, Empowering Bill was introduced and read a first lime. THE BBOQDKN CLAIMSThe Hon. Major Atkinson moved the consideration of the report of the Srlest Committee on tho Brogden claims. The House adjourned at I o’clock. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House resum- d at 2, and the consideration of the report of the Select Committee on the Brogden claims was continued by Mr Tuenbull reviewed the position of the whole question, contending that the credit of tho colony was at stake, and that the tenor of the report virtually, if given effect to, amounted to a denial of justice; the obtaining of justice by means of the usual tribunal*. He moved that the report bo not agreed to. Mr Sbddon moved that the debate be adjourned till next session, so as to give members an opportunity of going into the nature of the whole question. Both amendments were withdrawn, and on the motion of Mr Johnston the debate was adjourned till to-morrow in Committee. thh boad boabds bill. This Bill was further considered, and progress made as far as clause 109, the alterations being purely technical. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7 30. BOAD BOARD BILL.

In committee the Road Board Bill was further proceeded with. On clause 137 Mr Shbbhan the clause be amended so as to give tho management of rivers and harbors under certain circumstances to Road Boards. This was a most important matter to districts north of Auckland, where the only real highway of tho people consisted on tidal rivers, which went a long way inland, and were in many cases of more importance than any road that could be constructed. He would not move in the matter, bat atked the Government to consider tho suggestion, A new clause was added to the effect that all notices requiring to be advertised in the Gazette be inserted free of charge to the Board.

A long discussion took place on a motion by Mr Swanson that a new clause be added empowering Boad Boards to prevent any roads less than a chain wide being laid out. He argued that in many instances the roads became centres of population, and narrow roads became a source cf annoyance. Adopted. The schedules were agreed to without dis cusiion, and the Bill passed the committee, COUNTIES ACT AMENDMENT BILL, In Committee on the Counties Act Amendment, Mr Pykb moved—“ That, in the event of a district wishing to dissever itself and be joined on to another county, the opinions of the ratepayers be ascertained by a p 11, and not as proposed, by petition.” The clausa as printed was oarrisd by 45 to 17. Ac clause 9 progress was reported with lewo to sit again. The House rose at 1.25 until 11 the nest day.