PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 185, 5 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, Wednesday night. The House met at 2 30 p na. The Ashburton County Council Water I Works and Malvern Water Eace Bills were read a third time and passed. Mr Pitt presented a petition from 124 persons residing in Nelson against the imposition of the Beer Tax. Government did not intend to renew the vote of £100 for Hamilton Drill Shed. lleplying to questions it was stated that there were 16,000 descriptions of railway tickets, and the price could not be printed on each. Railway officers iv both North and South Islands would be required to wear uniforms wheu on duty. — Government was not aware of any complaint made of public bodies receiving public money not being open to the press.— Government did not think it desirable that all inquireis into the misdemeanor of Civil servants or railway officials should be open to the Press. — Government had not thought it necessary to make explanations regarding the road up Heaphy Valley, between Collingwood and Karamea, as no funds were available for the purpose.— The charge of cruelty practised in Nelson Gaol on the prisoner named Thomson would be fully inquired into. — The practice had been to make considerable advances for Maori lands which had not, passed through the Court, but it was almost entirely discontinued. — Government did not intend to amend the New Zealand Institute Act, so as to render subsidies subject to annual appropriations.— Government thought it might be possible to establish some system of rural police at a comparatively low rate of pay iv such country districts* where it has been found, necessary, with the view of retrenchment, to remove the police of the regular force formerly stationed there, so that life and property may have some protection. — The Government did not think it was expedient to add to the Licensing Bill before the House provisions enabling persons aggrieved by the Licensing Bench to appeal from such decision, such appeal to be heard by the Board to be elected annually by the ratepayers in each district, and to be called " The Licensing Appeal Board." — Speaking for himself, the Treasurer said he thought persons insuring between the closing of the books and declaration of tbe bonus should be allowed to participate, and that the whole system of Government annuities was about being overhauled by competent actuaries, when the report on the subject would be taken into consideration.— The Government had the reports of the several Royal Commissions under consideration. With some of their recommendations they agreed and from others they dissented. They would give effect to the former and reject the latter. — • Tbe responsibility for the malconstructed railway waggons lay with the Dunedin workshops. — Free public libraries' subsidies would n6t be renewed. — The Government would be prepared to bear- its fair fair share of expenses in exterminating the rabbit nuisance on Government reserves and lauds not leased. Government offices and property were insured equally in all colonial offices in New Zealand.— Government had, in accordance with the recommendation of the public Petitions Committee, ordered the prosecution of James Gilmour, for perjury. A Bill to amend the Law Practitioners Act was introduced and read a first time. Mr Hall announced that the Public Works Statement would not be ready until Friday evening.. In Committee, the Native i Lands Frauds Prevention Bill was further considered. The House adjourned at 5. 50. The Legislative Council threw out the Hospital and Charitable Aid Endowment Bill. Thursday. On the House resuming lasfc night, Mr Bryee moved to go into Committee on the Native Land Sales Bill. Mr Reader Wood moved as an amendment, " That no system of Native land sale will be satisfactory to this House which does not confer upon the Natives named in the certificate of title obtained from the Native Land Court an absolute power to dispose in the open market by sale, lease, or otherwise of the lauds described in such certificate without any Government interference." He supported the proposal at considerable length. Mr Tomoana spoke strongly against the Bill. Sir G. Grey objected to it as an undue interference with the right of the Natives to deal with their own property. He would in Committee move clauses to enable them to appoint trustees to deal with the land, opening it on equal terms to competition by all. Messrs Moorhouse, Col beck, and Tawhiao strongly opposed the Bill, and supported the amendment. Mr Hall said the minds of the Natives had been poisoned against the measure by design-

ing Europeans. The Government was only anxious to benefit the Natives and the colony. Messrs Te Wheoro, Lundon and Thompson opposed the Bill. Mr Ballance thought the Bill could be made a very good oue by a few alterations in Committee in the direction of allowing the appointment of trustees. Mr Montgomery supported the Bill, but thought the Natives should be given greater power over their lands, and bo represented on the Waste Lands Boards. Messrs Moss and Barron opposed the Bill. Mr Macandrew thought it could bo improved in Committee. Mr Bryce was favorably inclined to many of the suggestions made, and was anxious to see Sir G. Grey's proposed clauses, asj If surrounded by sufficient restrictions, the proposed improvement might be of great value in Committee. Mr Sbeehan opposed the Bill most strongly, as all the laud would be swallowed up in costs, and the Natives would never get anything. The Natives would never take advantage of the proposed machinery. 116 would support Mr Wood's amendment, and if the Bill went iuto Committee he would endeavor to have it made entirely voluntary aud optional. lie won d also support Sir G. Grey's proposed trustee clauses. The Government were making a great mistake ingiving up the Native laud purchase. The Bill would tic up all progress in. the North Island, and drive capital from it. Mr Speight quoted from a speech made by Mr Sheehau on the 27th August last in Auckland, to show that his views then were diametrically opposed to those he now held, and that he then advocated precisely what the Bill proposed. At 12 30 a.m. the amendment was negatived on the voices, and the House went into Committee. Clause 1 passed, progress was reported, and the House rose at 12.40 a.m.