New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1877.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5115, 15 August 1877, Page 2

New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1877.

In yesterday’s issue we pointed out that the Government, should they with- ' draw the Native Lands Court Bill, were 1 bound to consult the natives throughout the colony before introducing a fresh measure. Major Atkinson, in moving that the order of the day for the second reading of the Bill and Mr. Ballance’s amendment thereon should be discharged, pointed out clearly that it would be impossible to consult the natives in time to introduce a fresh measure this session, and therefore proposed to suspend the action of the law now in force (the Act of 1873) until the end <3f next session, by which time fresh legislation might have come into force. It was a pity that the few free lances who, with Sir George Grey and one or two others form the Opposition, attempted to bar the Premier’s motion in its inception, under the plea of certain interpretations of the standing orders. It was to be expected that Messrs. Stout and Travers would not let an opportunity pass of exhibiting how much more they know about the : standing orders than anyone else. Both are gentlemen who would have: written Shakspbrb if the original author had not unfortunately happened to have lived and died a good many years ago. Naturally, therefore, they enlightened the House .and- the Speaker as . to the proper interpretation of the standing orders ; and even after Sir William ; Pitzherbeet had given his decision, ; ; these gentlemen were good enough to argue the point, with him, although, as he | ' happily, expressed it, their arguments did not impress his mind with the conviction that ho was wrong. Since lie took his seat this session, Mr. Gisborne has been at much pains to air on all possible occasions his acquaintance with the standing orders. As in nearly every, case in which , he has risen to a point of order he has been declared to be wrong by the Speaker; he has not gained the reputation he possibly desires; but yesterday, nothing daunted,, he had a , fresh essay, and met with his. customary success. So soon as the points of order were disposed of, and the whole question of the. Bill reopened by "tlie amendment proposed by Mr.' Lusk, Mr. Pox,in a pithy speech, really put the question before the House -in- its fairest light. The Opposition and a of the Government supporters hold that the Native Lands , Court Bill requires material alteration.!, -They are- equally certain that the natives should be consulted before a new Bill is introduced, ,1c seems impossible that this can the done before next session, and in the meantime the Act of 1873, to whiok so many object, wouldremain in force, unless somo.action was taken‘fob so suspending its’operation as to prevent all dealings in native lands. So far as the Opposition are concerned, it really seems .'difficult to see' .how they object to 1 tliiS view of the . case.' But as the Opposition in reality fid not care twopence about the interests of the, natives hr about‘.land monopoly; as. ithey (only want to get the Government out, and ns they number : not; a few/ landsharks amdrigst ’ themselves, they were of Course i

not satisfied with anything proposed by Ministers, and endeavored as usual to force their enemy into an equivocal position. But despite the egotistic speech of Mr. Tkayeks, which was simply a series of stateraeinents to the. effect’ that ‘‘l drafted eyery'/Act. in/connection with native affairs in, the colony,'” and despite the manner imwhiph Miv Rees. flourished the weapon, the Ase .of which ho libs adopted from the'example.of Samson, the Government were not to be taunted, bullied, or cajoled into a wrong situation, and the' division at the close of the night on the question as to adjournment showed that a strong majority are prepared to see justice done; and to defeat the designs ; of : thpse who ;are merely 'striving -to- get the-Ministry - out at allihazards.