HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 2, 28 November 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Tuesday, The House met afc 2-30 this afternoon.

Replying to questions Ministers said;— (1.) Parliament having decided in favor of secular education, ifc was nofc proposed to provide for the support of existing aided schools after the expiration of the present financial year, but up to that they would be maintained as heretofore. (2.) Did nop intend to provide for the continuance of the annual Volunteer prize firing, but would provide small sums for local prizes. (3.) Intended to settle the claims of fche Rev. T. Grace as reported on hy Commissioner Beckham. (4.) Mr Conyer's evidence before the Railway Management Committee, regarding the issue of material to gangers ou opcu railways was not (Correct, (5.) Inquiries were being made regarding the establishment twice a week of an overlaud mail between Napier and Clyde (Wairoa). (6.) Provision for hospital buildings would be made on the supplementary estimates, aud iv the distribution clause the ISapier Hospital would be favorably considered. The Sheep and Cattle Bill and the Charit- . able Institutions Bill were, on the motion of i\lr Sheehan, discharged. Ttie Civil List Amendment Bill, introduced by the late MinisUy to raise the salaries of the Judges, was also dischp^ed; Mr Sheehan saying that the Judges were"wrctehe£ly paid, !( /but .the Government did not like' the 'meflfod ! of ittftref se proposed in the Bill, but w6uld during tjie.ie£ejs appoint a Commission to enquire into the v^le constitution and working qf the Courts of Law, The Greenwood Pension Bill, to £ranfc £120 to fhe Sergeant-at-Arms, was" oppose^

by Messrs Swanson and Reynolds, and supported by Messrs Grey, Sheehan, and Rolleston. It waa read a first time on a division by 37 to 8. J

The Public Works Act Amendment Bill was read the second time. *

Wednesday. On the House resuming, Mr Sheehan moved the postponement of the Land Bill, as the Government had not yet had time to prepare the amendments which would be required to adopt it to their new policy. Messrs Reid, Atkinson, Bowen, and Lumsden objected to the delay, as otherwise the Bill would not pass. Major Atkinson said that to insist on classification and an uniform price this year would stop all land sales, and leave a deficit of half a million to be provided for. Sir G. Grey said no unnecessary delay wonld take place, but the Government would not be hurried into miniature proposals. The Bill was then postponed. Mr Sheehan, in moving the second readiug of the Maori Real Estate Management Bill, explained that its object was to enable the trustees to act for minors in completing land sales to tbe Government. Next year they would consider the propriety of applying this provision to private sales. The Native Land Act Amendment Bill, which stood next, would put a stop to frivolous appeals from the Native Lands Court, by requiring the payment of costs ; it would also provide an uniform system of executing Maori deeds. A third Bill to be introduced would provide for winding up outstanding land purchases, and prevent private persons competing with the Crown in regard to partially completed purchases. He had already ordered all officers to discontinue acting for any one but the Government.

Mr Ormondin a twohours' speech criticised the native policy of the present Government, and said that most of it was to employ the carrying out of what the late Ministry had decided on, and would have carried ont had they remained in office. He praised Mr Sheehan for his references to Sir D. M'Lean, but denied the accuracy of the statement that Mr Sheehan's connection with the repudiation party was merely that of solicitor and client. Fc admitted that the land purchase fund was to some extent used for political purposes, but the land bought was well worth the cost, and could easily be completed. He hoped the Government would hold the natives to all the bargains thay entered into in a bona fide manner. He regretted that the House had rejected Mr Whitaker's Bill. He objected to the large powers the Government intended to assume under the Act of 1873, and did not think they would answer the purpose. He would in every way oppose an increase of special native representation unless regulation was insisted upon, and the native votes confined entirely to native members, so that they might not have double representation.

Mr Sutton urged the extension of the Real Estate Bill to private purchases. Mr Sheehan, in replying, promised that the Government would prepara and circulate during the recess a Native Lands Bill.

The Bill was then read the second time. The Law Practioners Act Amendment Bill was read the third timo, and the House 03e at 11-10 p.m.

It was announced in the Upper House that John Nathaniel Wilson had been appointed a member of the Legislative Council.

A Royal Commission is to inquire into the question of continuing the subsidy to the Jackson's Bay Special Settlement. Several Bills were read the first time.