PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5471, 9 October 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Oct. 8. The Hon. the Acting-Speaker took th chair at the usual hour. PAPERS, etc. Some papers were laid ou the table by thHon. Colonel Whitmore. The report of the Local Bills Committ- • ou tim Oamphelltown Incorporation Bill w-u brought up by the Hon. Colonel Kenny. Tin; same hon. member brought up the report ol the same committee on the Otago University Bill and the Christchurch Racecourse Reserve BUI. The second reading of the throe measures was fixed for the ensuing day. Some notices of motion were given, and formal motions made. The Hon. Mr. HOLMES presented a petition from the Moderator and Synod of Otago and Southland against the provisions in the Bill at present before the House of Representatives, as to the appointment of professors io the Otago University. electoral bill. The Hon. Mr. HAR V wished to dispose of one or two objections which had been urged on a previous occasion. With reference to the Maori franchise, he judged from the inter pretatiou clause that it was intended by the framers of the Bill that the Maoris could vote as tribes. He thought that'great weight was due to the observations of Hr. Ngatata, who pointed out the danger that would arise from Maoris having anything to do with European elections. Referring to the 14th clause, he (Mr. Hare) was the owner of a section on a lease of 99 years, but there was'no vote for the leasehold, although the rental of a house which was on the land would more than double what the lessor received. He would have a lease hold qualification to get over such ca-cs. Speaking of the 100th clause, he presumed the object was to exclude members of the Assembly from acting as returning officers, and would suggest the striking out of the latter portion. He referred to corruption in America, and mentioned that it w.is proved that the Secretary to the President had through his wife received bribes for the appointment of-officers. The hou. member who had preceedec him had said there was widespread discontent as to the waste lauds of the Crown. There was no evidence of such iu the shape of petition or otherwise. And it was necessary that reason should bo shown for discontent, else it was the duty of the Council to prevent a sudden change in the law. He asked if working men had benefited by the cheap land ? On the contrary, cheap laud had been the means of enabling largo estates to be acquired. The existence of capital in the country had been the means of providing for the employment of labor. It was the exports of wool which gave confidence to the Home money lenders, and enabled such large loans to be raised. Statements had been made at public meetings that the land iu Canterbury was lucked up for ten years by the runholders, whereas under the existing law any man might go and select 100, 200, or 200,000 acres.' He was sorry that a gentleman for whom he still entertained respect should have given utterance to such statements, .and hoped that he spoke through ignorance. What was the spirit to which these remarks had. given rise he need not use many word to explain. He had heard a remark which would sufficiently illustrate it:—“ These big bugs have had their day. It will be our turn now.” He thought enough had been said to cause, hesitation before this Bill was passed, and that during the recess the whole subject should be considered. He suggested that graduates of Universities, editors of newspapers, bank clerks, and others in like positions, should be qualified to .vote by their positions.

, At the conclusion of Mr. Hart’s speech the Hon. Dr. Pollen rose to a point of order. Tho 318th clause of the standing orders requires that Bills affecting tho Maori should be printed in the Maori language. It was within his own knowledge that tho native people were beooming alarmed about this measure. - He thought tho Maoris should be informed of the nature of the Bill.—The Hon. Mr Fraser followed on the same subject, and the Hon. Colonel Whitmore said he agreed with what had fallen from Dr. Pollen. The principal points involved iu it had been circulated, and an enormous petition was coming down, which would show tint the natives desired to retain such electoral powerasthey had. —The, Hon. the Acting-Speaker would see that the Bill was circulated iu Maori. The Hon. Mr. GEORGE BUCKLEY was much- disappointed with the details of the Bill. He thought there should be no plural voting at all. Proceeding to answer Mr. Waterhouse, ho replied at some length. Wore we in New Zealand, with our exclusive suffrage, so much better than tho Victorians with manhood suffrage ? He was afraid not. He would support the piinciplo of voting fur one member only, and would support tho second reading; but the measure should bo materially amended.

The Hon. Mr. H vLL thought that the Bill would not make a transfer of much political power. He pointed out tile inconsistencies between the speech of the Premier and the Colonial Secretary. He (Mr. Hall) utterly scouted the idea that it was necessary that every man should have a vote ; but what they did have a right to was that the best form of government which was possible should be had, and that equal taxation should ensue. Whoever said the people of New Zealand were not getting a fair share of political power were practising on their credulity. He considered tho franchise wide enough already, and was smo that that opinion was shared in by the people in his part of tho colony. Ho, however, would support the Bill, because it simplified tho franchise. He approved of the admission of females to the franchise. With respect to tho miners’ right franchise, he was not clear, aud hoped it would receive careful consideration. Referring to the Maori vote, he thought tho question should bo boldly faced. It was on the assumption that Maoris could not vote for Europeans that they got special representation. It was never intended originally that the Maoris should have votes for both elections ; nor did ho think such just. He pointed out the marked exception from taxation of Maori laud. He agreed with the Hon. Wi Take that the dual vote would not lead to harmony between the two races. Nothing would induce him to. vote for the third reading unless the ; clause ; to which he was -referring was largely modified, - Mr. Hall .was in favor of the representation Of minorities, and thought Haro’ system the best theoretically.’ He in-

’■•auceil the return of Air. Goscheu for London kb,, the List election as a strong proof of the • ju'efit «>f a minority vote, pointing out that ■it for that vote the great Liberal Party ro'ild have been entirely unrepresented in .ondon. He was sorry that the provision for 3e closing of public-houses on the day of elecon had been struck out ■ The Hon. Dr. MENZIES thought the Jouncil were indebted to Mr. Hail for the very statesmanlike speech he had made. He thought the colony should bo governed by the people, and not for the people. After speaking at some length, Dr. Menzica said he thought it indispeasible to the passing of the Bill in that Council that the clause affecting the Maori franchise should be altered. . The electoral roll also should be dealt with. The Hon. Mr. MOKENA said it was the opinion of the Maoris and Europeans in his listrict that the Maoris should have votes for liuropeau elections. If the Maoris were diowed twenty members iu the House of Representatives then the double vote should be lone away with, but not till then. He should support the Bill. The Hon. G. R. JOHNSON said Mr, Mokeua lid not know the feeling of the Europeans in che Poverty Bay District. He could say most positively that the Europeans were; hot in favor of the Maoris having these double votes. He showed that upon one occasion in the Poverty Bay District, of a canvas for Maoris to be placed on the electoral roll, they nearly dl objected, and seemed in no way to desire uch a privilege. He did not think any change o the elccto al law at present asked for the country. (Hear, hear.) BILLS. At the evening sitting messages were received from the House of Representatives with several local Bills. ELECTORAL DILL. The debate on the second reading of this Bill vas resumed by the Hon. Mr. Reynolds, who upporledthe Bill. This questioned the franchise ;iad always come forward at elections in his ■ Mr. Reynolds’) dUtri t, and opinion was euirely in favor of a change He thought it trange that Dr. Pollen should Oppose this >ill when he was a member of a Government vhich brought in a similar measure. He nnsidered Dr. Pollen was wrong altogether in •he premises introduced bt fore the Council. —The Hon. Mr. Lahmann followed in support »f the Bill, and the Hon. Mr. Miller strongly •pposed it, upholding the view of Mr. Hall, hat universal suffrage could not by any means >e looked upon as a right, but rather as a •rivilege, and instanced the example of .he mother country, .whose Legislature never dmit ed that such a right existed. He .)raised the meekness and patience of the laboring class ; but this question should be dealt with on general principles, and not as the Bill •reposed. Tie knew of no reasons for the Bill, .io wrongs to be redressed, no demands for the Bill. For these reasons he would oppose it.—The Hon. Mr. Buckley had heiru no argument whatever against the Bill, Why, the original charter of English liberty had been uo gift ; it had been wrested by freemen from the King. He had heard that iu that Council there was no party spirit exhibited, but he had had his mind completely disabused of that impicsoiou by the bitter party spirit of the speech delivered on Fiiday by the Hon. Dr. Pollen. He would leave the Government to deal with the remarks of that bon. gentleman in reference to the Biy of Islands affair. He would say a great deal more but that Dr. Pollen was not in his place. Mr. Buckley then proceeded to criticise the speech of Mr. Waterhouse, speaking at some length strongly in favor of the Bill, and concluded by asserting that even taking Dr. Bolleu’s figures to be correct, not leas than 12,000 extra voters would bo placed upon the roll,—The Hon. Mr. Martin supported the whole measure, and in regard to clause 18 said he thought it would cement the races aid make them more united.—The Hon. Mr.

GOTLAND pointed out that in former times under a restricted form of suffrage, great evils had existed ; he would give an almost unqualified support to the Bill ; one exception that he made was the Maori dual vote. lu every other respect the Bill was a safe and desirable measure.—The Hon. Captain Eraser considered it was erroneous to attempt to compare she lower classes in New Zealand with those in England or in America j hundreds of outcasts in those countries were always on the verge of starvation. He believed in a tribal right, and thought the Council should pass clause 18 in its entirety. He denied that there were any dangerous classes in New Zealand, and would support the Bill.—The Hon. Mr Chamberlin thought every man should have a share of the general property of the colony before he was allowed to deal with property. He approved of the Maori franchise proposed. At the beginning of his speech he bad said that he could not support the Bill, but had omitted to add, as heartily as he could desirfe. —The Hon. Mr. Bonar supported the Mil. He had found the commoner classes always willing to be represented by those whose means allowed them more leisure to devote to legislation. A revision of the roll at regular intervals was required. He proposed a verbal alteration iu the form of the questions to be put to an elector. The difference between the present and the proposed Maori franchise was this, that at present individual owners of property could vote, but it was now proposed to allow them to vote under a communistic title. He would vote against the Maori freehold franchise.—The Hon. Colonel Whitmore moved the adjournment of the debate, because, in the first place, he de sired to give Sir Dillon Bell, who was at that time indisposed, an opportunity of addressing the Council, and also because, in connection with this measure, the Hon. Dr, Pollen had made a very violent attack upon the Government upon one of the very rare occas ons when he had occupied his seat in the Council during this session, aud that hon. gentleman was tlien absent. He desired to have au opportunity of replying to the latter face to —The adjournment was moved by another hoa. member, and carried on the voices, HARBOR BILL. The Council then went into committee on the Harbor Bid. A new schedule was introduced instead of No. I. Several minor amendments were made in the second schedule. Tho Bill was reported with amendments, aud * The Council adjourned at 12.20 a,m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, Ootobeii 8. The Speaker took the chair nt 2.30 p.m. , PETITIONS, El'O. Several petitions were presented and notices o£ motion given. REPORTS BY SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. Reports were brought up from the Police Pay Committee and Waste Lands Committee. The latter reported on the South Dunedin Reserves Bill —Mr. McLean moved chat the report bo referred hack to the committee, and complained that although ha and others could give important information, and had offered to give evidence, yet they had not been called. A discussion ensued, in which most of the Otago members took part, after which the motion of Mr. McLean was carried on the voicvs.—Reports were also brought up from the Goldfields Committee, Public Petitions Committee, .Native Affairs Committee, and others. ' WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Mr. SWANSON asked the Minister of Justice, —1. What becomes of forfeited weights and measures ; if they arc sold, is such sale made by public auction or private tender ; does such sale take place at stated times; and, if so, what are the dates ? |(2) What amounts have been received from such sales in each provincial district, and to what account are the proceeds carried 1 3. Is any record kept of the number and kind of weights and measures forfeited, and from whom taken ; and, if so, whether the Government will lay such return before this House 1 4. Whether the Weights and Measures Act applies to buyers as well as sellers within the colony ! Mr. SHEEHAN promised to lay papers on the table showing what is done in different parts of the colony. hawke’s bay mails. Mr. ORMOND asked the Postmaster- . General, —If the Government will give instructions for mails to be despatched between Napier and the inland settlements tapped by the railway* twice a day, in place of once as at present ? The Hon. Mr. FISHER promised to extend the twice a day service to the .most important places. WOODVILLE. Mr. ORMOND asked the Government,— Whether it is .intended to station a. police officer at Woodville ? The Hon. Mr. SHEEHAN said ho was ■obliged to the hon. member for calling attention to the matter. A man should be sent to Woodville at once. : : 1 THE LAND ACT. Mr. ORMOND asked the Government, — If they will give effect, this session, to the recommendation of the Waste Lands Committee,. “That, considering the difficulties the class of settlers takingup, land bn deferred payment are subject to, and especially, as re-s garda read acceee to their holdings, the com-

mittue are nf opmion that it would ba a wise act to extend the operation of clause 50 of the Land Act, 1877, to the case of land taken np prK»r to .r-ha passing <f the Act, but in repeat to which payments have been made since hit Act passed, or for which payments have sdll to he made ?” - ’ v> The H.m Mr. STOUTsud the matter could not be dealt with except by Act, aud it was too late to pass an Act this session. If there were any special cases brought forward, the Government would consider them on their merits. NEW BILLS. The following new Bills were introduced and read a first time ;—A Bill to amend the GoldMining Districts Act 18/3, Public Works Act 1876 Amendment Bill* Ashburton High School’ Bill, South Canterbury Secondary .Education Reserves Bill. BEER DUTY BILL This Bill was discharged from the Order' Paper. TIMAUU POST AND TELEGRAPH OFF CE SITE BILL. This Bill was passed through all stages, - REPEALS BILL. The Hon. Mr. STuCJT, in moving the second reading of this Bil l , said it had been passed iu the other House, and its object was simply to put in a small compass all the repeals of Acts which had taken place. He should move in committee that one of the Bills mentioned in the schedule should be omitted, because the repeal of it was contingent on the Shipping Act of last year receiving the Royal assent, aud that assent had not been notified. Bill read a second time. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. The Hon. Mr. ST 1 OUT iu moving the second reading of the Bill, said its object, was the amendment of the Act of last year, which had been found necessary in practice. He explained the technical provisions of the Bill, and said they met with the approval of the societies he believed. Mr. ORMOND thought it did not meet the wishes of the societies in regard to registration. He believed there was great objection to the rules being mainly framed by the Government actuary, who knew nothing-of the practical working of the Act, s,ad they said the Act would be of no value to them until thry were allowed an officer, to be appointed among themsalves, to take the matter in hand. There were" a great number of societies not registered, aud he was told that state of things would continue until the defect complained of was remedied. Mr. SWANSON read a letter, from some friendly society in Aucklan I, Co show that the Act at present iu force was not *a isfact *ry mainly because of the defect referred to by Mr. O/m ucl. Mr. HUR3T.KOUSE said the present law was quite inapplicable to country branches, because of the expensive and circuitous mode of registration provided for by the Act, and went on to say that the Registrar-General was following out a most tyrannical conr>e of action, to which tne societies would not submit.’ Members of the societies would rather throw, up the benefits to which they hud acquired right. He objected altogether to the - many, restrictions placed on the friendly societies, and said they only wanted to be allowed to work out their own destiny. Air. .ROLLESTON confirmed the view of the hou. member, Mr, Hursthouse, as to the feeling existing among the societies, and after paying a high tribute to the value of the work of the societies, suggested that the Government should invite a c ufereuce of delegates to meet v during the recess. Mr, BO W EN said there was something to be said on the other side, a n I that was that weaker . societies were exceedingly impatient of any control being exercised over their financial arrangements, and the result was that benefits were promised which could not be confened. Depositors must be protected, or else the state of things which had existed in England would be repeated here. The Hon. Major ATKINSON highly approved of the valuable suggestion of, Mr. Rolleston. It might be well for the Government to allow societies to take their own course, only protecting the funds and seeing that information was published as to the financial position of societies, together with the opinions of actuaries thereon, so that the public would not join the societies in ignorance of what they were going into. He pointed out that clause 7 in the Bill would injuriously affect the Odd Fellows. The Hon. Mr. STOUT, in reply, said the object of clause 7 was to prevent societies diverting particular funds from the purposes for which they were subscribed. He instanced the cases of certain societies who had expended 60 per cent of their funeral funds in manage-;., merit and other expenses, so that those funds must become bankrupt. He explained that the Government had been in communication' with several of the most active members of friendly societies, aud this Bill was the result of their advice. Bill road a second time. PUBLIC RESERVES SALE BILL. The Hou. Mr. STOUT said this was a Bill of considerable importance. . It empowered the Government to sell certain railway reserves in Canterbury (part as town lands, part as laud on deferred payments, and part as land of special value), and also isservesiu Southland, ot Westport. He moved the second read-: ingof the Bill, Mr. BOWEN would like to know whether the receipts were to go to the waste lands revenue. The Hon. Mr. STOUT : No; to the Consolidated Revenue. ■ ■ . Mr. BOWEN hoped that some portion of the receipts would be spent in improving and draining the town, and in the maintenance of roads near the towns to he laid out, and That large recreation and other reserves would be made. Tiie Hon. Mr. STOUT said that would be done. Bill read a second time,: ,' ; ‘ SHEEP BILL. The Hon. Mr. SfOUT, in moving the' second reading of the Bill, said it was himilar. to that which was pr seated to the Hou-e" after long consideration by a special committen last rear, but was withdrawn. Mr. SIfiYMuUH asked that the Bill might be referred to a select committee, because in, another place the Bill bad been made so strict aud unmerciful that it could never he worked in districts affected by scab. In soma .of. the; clauses power was given to inspectors to determiu’e whether bheep were infected, aud then to inflict a fine of from 3s. to ss. • If any infected slu ep strayed into a man’s flock , the flock was to be deemed infected, and fines to a perfectly ruinous amount might be imposed.' He spoke at some length on the detail*, and pointed out that the Bill would be ruinous to the flockuwners, because the greater part of. New Zealand was infected. It would be much better if there were two measures, one applying to clean districts and the ot!:er to infected districts. He hoprd the Government would. | allow the Bill to go to a select committee, iu order that its provisions might be greatly amended. Dr. HODGKINSON looked upon the Bill as one of a class to do away with the local Ordinances, which were working satisfactorily, aud to introduce io their place a centralising general law. He should move that the Bill be' read a second time that day six months, and should take a similar course with regard to tiie Brands Bill, Dogs Bill* and others. Ho quite agreed with the remarks of Mr. Seymour as to the ruinous proposals of the Bill. The Hou. Major ATKINSON approved of the suggestion of Mr. Seymour. The Bill was quite inapplicable to the district of Taranaki. Sir ROBERT DOUGLAS said that iu consequence of the negligence bf the Government scab 'was increasing throughout , the country, A Bill was urgently required, but such a Bill would never pass, because it violated the principles of the BUI of Rights, which said that no mau should be amerced in ruinous fines, Mr. TESGHEMAKER hoped the Bill would not go to a select committee. J ; Mr. O MOND thought there was not time to deal with these matters this year, and that the amendment of the hou. member for Riverton should be accepted. The Government might have attended to the rights of men and women in the matter of charitable aid before they dealt with such questions as these. Mr. SEYMOUR said the Bill was of greater importance to the farmers and. sheep-owners than even the imposition of a land tax. After Captain Russell bad spoken, and the Hou. Mr. Stout had replied. Dr. Hodgkinson called for a division on bia amendment, which was thereupon negatived by 80 to 20. The Hou. Mr. SToTJT moved that the Bill be committed on Thursday. Mr. SEYMOUR moved that the Bill be referred to a selec:- committee. ~ '/ The Hou. Mr. STOUT said that amendment simply meant shelving the Bill. Mr. Wason, the Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Hodgkinson, Mr. ‘ Hamlin, Captain Kenny, and others pressed the Minister for Lands to yield the point, after which the amendment was negatived by 46 to 26, and Mr. Stout’s motion agreed to. - . : DISQUALIFICATION BILL. ,1 This Bill was further considered in committee. ‘ a -v--- ■■ i *->x Clause C,-eub*£ection I,—Mr, Kelly moved

an amendment to nn&o -the disqualifying clauses apply to the ngont-genoralship He referred to a rumor which had obtained some time since as to an arrangement having been made with » member of the House to accept the position. That sort of thing wa* undesirable.—Major Atkinson hoped the amendment would be negatived. He would like to see the office purely political, because if we were to keep up connection with the mother'country nothing could more tend to strengthen the b «nd of union than that the term of office should be short, and that as many as possible of our public men should visit Great Britain and become acquainted with her statesmen.—Amendment negatived. Sub-section 2.—Exemption of provincial officers and superintendents from operation of tho clause.—Mr.' Murray thought the necessity for the exemption had now passed away, and Dr. Henry thought it a barefaced and brazen injustice to other members of the House. There were twenty members of the House who were thus excluded from the operation of the Bill, and wh* should that be tolerated?—Th ' Hod. Mr. .Stout said ho had put the sub-section iu the Bill because it was tho existing law, and in order to low© it an open question,’for the House to determine whether that law should continue or not. —Sir Robert DOUGLAS said that in justice to those members of the House who bad acted as superintendents and executive officers, it would be right to strike out tho sub-section, in order that they might not at any time hereafter be charged with having been bought. He begged, therefore, to move that sub-section 2 be struck out. —Mr. • ■ McLean considered all members of the House should stand in the same position in respect to disqualification,—Dr. Henry supported Sir Robert Douglas's proposition.— Mr. -AVhitakzb spoke in favor of the subsection being struck out.—Mr. Barton objected to the exemption applying to the Agent General or the Judges of the Supreme Court. He should like to gee clauses 6,7, 8, and 9 struck out altogether.-Sub-section 2 was struck out on the voices. The question was then put. that the clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill. The committee divided —Ayes, 37 ; noes, 19. The clause was therefore retained Clause 7 was passed as printed —Clause 8 was passed with the addition to the end of the words “ unless he shall be a contractor.”— Clause 9 was passed as printed. -Mr. Stevens proposed the following uew clause : Nothing contained in this Act in respect of contractors shall be construed to apply or extend to any of the persons or contracts hereinafter mentioned: —l. Any person on whom, after the passing of this Act, tho completion of any contract or agreement shall devolve by descent or limitation or by marriage, or as devisee, legatee, executor, or administrator, until twelve months after he shall have been in possession of the same. 2. Any sale, purchase, or agreement for taking of land, or of or for any estate, interest or easement therein, under, any law or'statute empowering the Queen or the Governor, or any person on. her or hia behalf, to .take, puror acquire any lands or any estate, interest, or eaaemnnt therein, for any public works, or for any other public purpose whatever. 3. Contracts for the loan of money, or securities given for the payment of money only. 4. Any contract for printing or advertising" The words “printing or" were struck out, and the new clause, as amended, inserted. The Bill was reported with amendments, and the report ordered to be considered on Thursday. dangerous goods act amendment bvl. On the motion of the Hoa. Mr. Stout this Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Thursday. PUBLIC REVENUES BILL. The Hon. Mr. BALL AND K moved the second reading of this Bill, explaining that it was proposed to have one Comptroller and Auditor-General and an Assistant Comptroller and Auditor-General, instead of two Commissioners of Audit, as heretofore. The second reading was agreed to, nod the BUI ordered to be committed on Thursday next. LITERARY INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES BILL. The Hon. Mr. BALLANOR moved the second reading of this Bill, pointing out that one of the results of this measure would be to place literary institutions and public libraries receiving aid under the control of the various Education Boards, with whom the distribution of grants would rest. The second reading was agreed to, and the Bill ordered to be committed on Thursday next. ' BRANDS REGISTRATION BILL. Ou the motion of the Hon. Mr. Stout, this Bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed on Monday next. IMPOUNDING BILL, Qd the motion of the Hon. Mr. Stout, the Bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed on Monday next. NATIVE LAWSUITS BILL. The Hon, Mi‘. STOUT, in moving the second reading of this Bill, remarked that its object was to procure the final settlement of native lawsuits with which the Supreme Court found it impossible to deal. It was proposed to appoint a Judge of the Supreme C*»urt to hear these casta, in order that they might be finally settled. Mr. MeLEAN advised the Government to keep aa clear of the matter themselves as possible, and instead of appointing a new Judge for the purpose indicated in the Bill, he thought the Government would act wisely if they appointed either of the Southern Judges to hear these cases Mr. ORMOND thought the BUI would be more correctly named if it were entitled a Bill to confiscate the property of all political opponents of the Government. There had always been every desire on the part of the Europeans to have these matters settled, and they were still as willing to have them referred to any fairly constituted tribunal which that House mLht appoint. There was a great deal of property, and a great amount of justice, involved in thin question. The Government wished to have the power of going outside the Supreme Court Judges and appointing any person, they chose to hear these cases. The proposal was a monstrous one. considering the relations which certain legal gentlemen who were friend*, to the . Government held with regard to these cases. Their names appeared as solicitors to almost all the cases on tho Maori ride, and it would be monstrous to give the Government power to adopt whomsoever they pleased to hear these case*. He had not the least fear that a BilMa this shape would ever. be.passed by the Hou*o; and he could only express surprise .that the Government could. ;bring \' t '.down such au injust and unfair, measure. He was willing to agree to submit his case to a commission having absolute power, and he believed all the European settlers would agree to this also. And let a person be selected outside the colony altogether to act aa commissioner—one who would have no feeling in the matter one way or the other, and would decide according to equity and fair play. If such a commisrion were not appointed, then he believed it would be better to select one of the Judges in the South Island, because Judges Gillies and Prendergast had held retainers in these cases, and Judge Richmond had already expressed his opinion on the subject. The European settlers were perfectly willing to have the cases referred to any tribunal which tho House might appoint, but they would object to tho matter being left in tho bauds uf the Government. ■ Captain RUSSELL said the European settlers in bin district were open-mouthed in their hostility to this Bill, but they were willing to have their cases referred to a comoairiou, which would determine the cases absolutely on principles of real justice and good conscience. Mr. MACFARLANE would like to see the cases referred to a Judge of the Supreme Court aud a jury of four or five, sitting away from the place where the cause of action arose, (Hear, hear.) - Mr. WHITAKER related what had been formerly done with a view to getting these cases settled, and expressed a hope that a Bill would be passed which would give satisfaction to, both sides. As the Bill now stood it would fail to give satisfaction to tho European settlers. ■■■-■- The Hon. Hr. SHEEHAN said ho could say conscientiously that he had on all occasions gone even out of his way to bring about a fetltunent between both sides. He was prepared even now.to go the length of saying that an independent tribunal should bo appointed, and therefore, to forego the powers which the present Bill proposed to confer. (Hear, hear.) On W® point ho would insist, namely, that the Maoris should „ hot bo -■ deprived of tho operation of tho law of the Supreme Court. He , should like to" gee the Oases referred to a Court absolutely above suspicion ) but ho would object to the Maoris being asked to give up their legal grounds, in order that the cases might be decided according to equity and good conscience. But on all other points ho waa ready to meet tho hon. members for Clive and Napier. . v'Mr. .REES expressed a hope that these cases would bo settled once and for over, cheaply; expeditinulsy, -and justly, and believed that it would be to too advantage of tha,whole~ community to have ti e question of .decided by a properly aud fairly constituted tribunal. . ,

The Hon. Mr. STOUT, in reply, said th Government waa willing that a perfect on’ rider should be appointed to hear these case —for instance, Mr. Kiginbotham, of Mo’ bourne, or other eminent lawyers in Melbourne or Sydney whom he could name (Hear, hear.) The Bill waa then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Thursday. The House adjourned at 1.5 a.m.