PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1924, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[by TELEGRAPH—I>ER PRESS ASSOCIATION

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, November 3. The Legislative Council met at 8 p.m. The Alining Amendment Bill was reported from the Goldfields and Alines Committee without amendment, put through its final stages and jiasscd. The Native Land Rating Bill was received from the House, read a first time and second time, pro forma, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee.

The Hauraki Plains County Council Empowering Bill, the Wellington City and Suburban Highways Construction, the llutt Road Amendment Bill, the AYaiiaganui City Vesting and Empowering bills were received from the House and read a first time and referred to the Local Bills Committee. Sir Francis Bell said lie bad amendments to propose in the Fruit Control Bill. The measure, which was put through the committee stage without amendment, will be recommitted later. ■ The Public Works Amendment Bill, and Shipping and Seamen’s Amendment Bill were pul through their filial stages and passed.

The Rating Amendment Bill, tho Native Land Amendment Bill and the Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill wore put through all stages and passed.' The managers appointed to confer with the managers from the House 011 the alterations in the Education Amendment Bill failed to agree. The managers set up in connection with the Chattels Transfer Bill reported agreement with the House and the agreement was adopted. Tho principal amendment deletes the clause providing that for the purpose of the registration of instruments the Cheviot and Anniri counties shall be deemed part of the Canterbury Provincial District.

The Customs Amendment Bill was put through all stages and passed. The Council adjourned at 11.15 p.m. till 2.30.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The House met at 7.30.

The following bills were introduced and read a first time: —Tho Legislature Amendment Bill (Air .Massey), the Housing Amendment (Air Eraser) and the Shearers Accommodation Amendment (Air 1 .angst one). The following bills passed all stages: The Customs Amendment Bill No 2, the “Washing Up” Rill, tbe Christchurch District Drainage Bill, the Waimakariri Harbour Empoweiing Bill.

The House rose at 12.30 till noon

In moving the second reading of the Native Land Rating Bill the Hon. J. G. Coates expressed the pride of the country felt by every New Zealander, and eulogised the work of Hie Ethnological Board in placing ,on record an accurate account of the Native people who populated ;the country, and bow they divided the land among tlicin,selves. These titles were derived sometimes by occupation, and sometimes by conquest. In either case they were dear to those who held them, then war with the European intervened, and some of these lands were confiscated, with the result that loss of their territory rankled, in the breast of the Natives for several generations, which since' bad passed. It- was undoi these circumstances pleasant to find the Native members of the Mouse assisting the Government to dear away the difficulties which naturally arose between the two races in occupation of Native land. The Bill before the House would lie thought, go a long wayto this end. The Bill provided for Native land to be liable to rates on the same manner as if it were European land. Exemptions are made for the customary land, Native land not exceeding five acres occupied by burial grounds, and not more than five acres on which a Native meeting-house is erected. Other classes of Native land may be exempted by Orcler-in-Coiincil. Where' Native land is vested in trust in the Alaori 1-uid Board. Native Trustee or East ('oast Commissioner, the trustee is required to pav all rates on that land, blit only to the extent of the net revenue received Oil behalf of the beneficiary owners of the land affected. There were provisions for the recovery of rates on Native laud, with a proviso that the same right of appeal as that exercised by an ordinary ratepayer may be held. Where it was decided that rates were payable a charge over land might be made to secure recovery. H the charge remained unpaid for a period of more than twelve months the land affected might be vested in the Native Trustee to "be sold for recovery of rates. It might, however, in Hie discretion or the" Native Trustee, be mortgaged instead of feeing sold. Local authorities were given power to remit rates due on Native land, either wholly or in part.