PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 3 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington - , August 2. In the House of Representatives today, • Mr. Reader Wood gave notice on going into Committee on the Native Land Sales Bill he would move a resolution affirming the desirability of native owners being allowed to dispose of their land without Government interference after receiving their certificates from the Native Land Court. Mr. Hall moved that on Tuesday the House resolve itself into Committee to consider the following resolution :■ —" That this House approves of arrangement made by telegrams dated 31st May, 1879, for the Government of New Zealand joining in a scheme for the duplicating of the cable from Port Darwin upon conditions set forth in memorandum of agreement between the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria, and Colonel Glover, on behalf of the Eastern Exbension, Australasia, and China Telegraph Company, dated 4th December, 1878." The motion was carried. On the motion of Major Atkinson, a Bill to amend the Property Assessment Act, 1879, was introduced, and read a first time. The House considered the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Election Petitions BillMr. Hall moved that they he agreed to. Messrs. Tole and Montgomery objected to the amendment, which provided that these petitions should be tried by one judge of the Supreme Court, instead of two as adopted by the House. Mr. Reader Wood said that the appointment of two judges was an adaptation of the English law on the subject here. The requisitions to be tried were as a rule much simpler than they were in England, consequently he thought the amendment should be supported. Mr. Gisborne took an opposite view. It would be most irregular "to allow any one judge to discharge the functions, as he would have to act in such cases as both judge and jury. Mr. Stewart looked upon the two judges as a cardinal point in the Bill, and hoped the amendment would not be agreed to.

The amendment of th© Council was dissented from. The second amendment, providing for trial of the petition, the words "in the district or at some place adjacent thereto," having been struck out by the Upper House, was likewise dissented from, and a Committee appointed to draw up reasons for dissent in both cases. Mr. Bryce moved the second reading of the Native Lands Bill. The Bill was framed with the view of rendering proceedings less costly and cumbersome than at present. P-rior- to the passing of the present Act, in 1873, the cost of the court was L 5467, while the revenue amounted to L 7252. Since then the position of affairs had been reversed-. Within the last two months, the post of the court had been LSS6G,, while the revenue was not more than L 5292. The object of the present Bill was in a great measure to return to. the practice in force prior to the passing of the Act of 1873. Another object of the Bill was to enable Government to advance sums to natives for the purpose of making surveys, irrespective of the strict question of title altogether, as Government looked upon the ascertaining of the title a$ an important step towards settlement. The court would, as far as possible, be reii/oved from the influence of Government, and would increase inducements for natives to take advantage of the provisions. Mr. Tomoana looked upon the Bill as an improvement on the present Act. Still, it would stand further improve-, ments, which he hoped to see effected in Committee.

Mr. Tawliai also, concurred in the opinion that the Bill was an improvement 011 the one now in operation. Sir W. Fox thought the Bill went in the right direction, but he suggested that further powers should be conferred on the Court to tax the expenses of lawyers and agents engaged by natives in these cases. He instanced enormous bills of casts rendered by these parties which had come, under his notice, and strongly advocated the necessity for a check being provided •u such extortionate charges.

Air. Reader Wood supported the Bill, but stated that he would oppose the Native Land Sales Bill, and proposed to move a resolution on the subject in reference to direct purchases. Sir G. Grey spoke in opposition ta the Bill, as also did Mr. de Ifautour, Mr. Thomson al§a opposed the Bill, stating that it was a well-known fact that members of the present Government had been largely mixed up in native land transactions.

Mr. Rolleston denied the statement. Mr. Thomson reiterated the statement that one member of the Government had been mixed up in the transactions,. Mr. Rolleston again objected, and rose to a point of order, which the Speaker overruled.

Thomson continued to say that he was surprised the hon. member was so vehement in his protestations. Perhaps it arose from the fact that the cap fitted. He concluded by again repeating that the Bill was an objectionable one. Mr. Hurst supported the Bill* and Mr. Bryce having replied, the motion for the second reading was carried. Mr. Bryce moved the second reading o.f the Native Lands Frauds prevention Bill. The motion was agreed to. Mr. Bryce moved the second reading of the Native Successions Bill. The motion for the second reading was carried, and the House then went into Committee on the Native Lands Court Bill.

Major Te Wheoro moved, the insertion of an additional clause to the Bill, to. the effect that bsefore apv ease went into the Native Land Court, it should be submitted to a native committee, appointed for the' purpose. The Hon. Native Minister opposed the amendment on the ground that it would lead to great confusion. August a. The discussion wag qo.utinued this morning on the proposal to postpone the clause to. which an addition was proposed by Mr. Hall, who said that if it was only with a desire to consult with the Native Minister that the postponement was wanted, by passing the clause, the Native Minister would be prepared to meet the Maori members to-morrow, and make such concessions as he possibly could before the final passing of the Bi,ll. If members were earnest in their professions, that would be deemed quite enough. Mr. Moss said that \jrhat they had to complain of was the utter, indifference with which their appeals were treaied by Ministers. Not one word was vouchsafed to them in reply to their appeals, as if these appeals were utterly unworthy of notice. He was aure that those members, lying asleep as they were on the Government benches, would not submit to be treated in that way if they were in Opposition. He held in his hand a closely printed double-demy, which he would read for their benefit. Amidst cries of "speak up" and "go on" the member said he would read it again. Mr. Allwright said this wg.s ati example of what the great Liberal party could do. They had been ten weeks in session, and yet they had doue nothing ; jn fact, this great Liberal party would not allow them to do anything practically. Mr. George rose to a point of order, which the Chairman ruled. Mr. Lundon said it was now past 2 o'clock, and if the Government had no consideration for itself he hoped it would

I consider the state of the House, and the time of the night. Mr. Seddon said that the Bill had been before the House for a considerable time, and they ought to have had their proposals on the order paper, so as to have had the question fairly considered by the House. He proposed an adjournment for half-an-hour, with the view of ascertaining if any arrangement could be arrived at.-

Sir George Grey said the Maoris had asked for a consideration, which he thought was perfectly reasonable. .There was no attempt to coerce the Government, but on the contrary the Government desired to trample on the rights of what he admitted was a minority in the House. Mr. George moved that progress be reported. The House divided : Ayes, 13 ; noes, 23. The Chairman then left the chair for half-an-hour. On resuming at 3 a.m., Mr. Speight said that if the natives were satisfied no one would oppose the Bill. Mr. Bryce said if the House would allow the clauses to pass, the Government would consent to the recommittal of the Bill to test any quession of amendment the native members might bring forward the proposed additional clause was withdrawn. Clause 1G was then put and agreed to, and the Bill reported, as amended. The House rose at 3.30 a.m.