PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 181, 31 July 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Friday night. The House reassembled at 3 p.m. Mr Stewart presented a petition from 350 railway employees, praying for a reconsideration of the resolution to reduce their wages. Sir G. Grey gave notice that he would direct the attention of the Government to the difference of quality between the North and South Islands of, New Zealand in the matter of University education. Mr Bryce introduced the Maori Prisoners Bill. The prisoners were part of an organization setting itself up in opposition to the authority of the Queen. That was the reason arrests had been made. He hoped as a question of policy the House would pass the measure through all the stages without discussion. He moved the second reading. Replying to Sir G. Grey, Mr Bryce said that no notice had heen given to the natives of penalties to which they would be subjected under this Bill. Motion carried. In Committee, Mr J B. Fisher pointed out that, as worded, natives charged with nil manner of offences — murder, felony, &c. — would come under the operation of the Act. Mr Bryce admitted the objection, but did not see how it was to be obviated. Sir G. Grey suggested that a provision should be inserted that the Act should apply to all arrests made by the police, subject to the approval of the Native Minister. The clause was amended to make it read " arrests made by authority of the Government." Sir G. Grey protested against the amendment made, and denounced it as unconstitutional and illegal. The Bill as amended was reported. On motion for the third reading, Mr Montgomery protested against the Bill, slating that had Government done its duty and proclaimed the West Coast a disturbed district when that should have been done, this irregularity would have been averted. Sir G. Grey also protested. With a few minutes' delay, the Bill could have been made more acceptable than it was. He reprobated undue haste in passing the measure. Mr Header Wood said the House had taken up a falee position in pacing the measure.

and throwing the responsibility for its passing on the Government, Without desiring to impede the Government, he denounced the measure as a most untenable one. Mr Bryce replied that the Government had given evidence that it was quite prepared to accept the fullest measure of responsibility for the passage of the Act. Referring to the remarks of Mr Woe 3, he had said that member was a free lance, and gloried in the vagaries of irresponsibility. He ventured, however, to say if the passage of the Bill rested with the hon member as an individual, he dared not take upon himself the res* ponsibility of preventing the measure passing. The House divided: — Ayes, 41; Noes, 24. On the moiion that the Bill do now pass, Mr Speight recorded his protest that the Bill was a tacit admission that they were unable to govern the natives by the same laws by which (hey governed themselves. Mr Pyke also denounced the Bill as cruel and unconstitutional. Mr Pitt defended the Bill, and Mr Moss, Mr Te Wbeoro, and Sir George Grey spoke in strong terms against it, and Mr Bryce replied. Tbe motion was agreed to. House adjourned at 5.30, Saturday. The following Bills were read the secoud time:— "Banks and Baukers;" "Bills of Exchange Procedure;" " Mercantile Law;" "Chattel Securities;" "Building Societies;" " Animals Protection ;" " Married Women's Property Protection ;" " Aliens Marriage ;" "Juries ;" " Cruelty to Animals ;" "Deaths by Accident Compensation ;" " Adulteration Prevention ;" " Thames Water Supply Transfer ;" and "Fisheries." The above Bills, with the exception of the two last mentioned, were considered in Committee, read the third time and passed, as also was the Census Bill. An Imprest Supply Bill for £250,000 was passed. On Ihe motion to go into Committee of Supply, Sir George Grey moved the names of the Patetere Committee. Mr Bryce objected to the names proposed, and proposed others, which Sir G. Grey, after a discussion, accepted, the following being appointed :— Messrs Bryce, Kenny, Pitt, Thomnsou, Fulton, Stewart, and Sir G. Grey. Mr Moss then addressed the House on the necessity for better provision being made for local Government, urging that had Native affairs been left to local management, there would never have been a riot, and that even the railways might be better managed locally. He moved that a Royal Commission of nine persons, to be elected by the several Provincial districts, should be appointed to inquire into the best form of local Government. Mr Hall admitted the importance of tbe subject, but objected to its beiug raised without notice. After a brief discussion the motion was withdrawn, on the understanding that the subject would be brought up again. In Committee of Snpply, the Government Insurance Department was proceeded with, and a long discussion took place, Sir G. Grey, Messrs J. B. Fisher, Murray and others condemning the whole system as an improper interference by the Government with private enterprise. Major Atkiuson, Messrs Gisborne, Macandrew, and others supported the propriety of the Government undertaking life iusurance. Mr Turnbull proposed to reduce the Commissioner's salary by £100, but it was lost on a division of 27 to 14. The vote was then agreed to with the reduction proposed by Major Atkinson of £5000 for buildings. The House rose at 12 45 a.m.