PARLIAMENTARY.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 130, 8 July 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[x’EU TRESS AGENCY.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. * Wellington., -Inly 7. The Ericnd'y Societies Bill passed without material alteration. A return of the proceeds from sales of Confiscated Lands in each province was ordered. HOUSE OF RE P BES ENT AT IVES. Wellington, July 5. Upon the Premier moving that a resolution bo passed that night, for increasing, during the present session, the price of waste lands of the Crown to a sum not exceeding £2 per acre. Sir George Grey protested against such a resolution, which lie said should not have been obtruded upon the House so hastily, and moved an amendment to the effect that if the purchasers were dissatisfied witlf their purchase, their money should be refunded with interest. Sir Julius Vogel pointed out that the resolution was only introduced with a view to future legislation on the matter, and was merely meant to protect the colony .against, injurious speculations. If the House decided to increase the price of land, such increase should he made at once. ■ ' A long and animated discussion ensued, kept up mainly by those opposed to the resolution, chiefly by .Messrs Rees, Stout, andD. Reid.. . ...‘ The Otago members considered that the resolution would injuriously affect Otago, by preventing the usual land sales, and by cutting off their revenue from that source. It would also put a stop to public works and probably ruin contractors. The Premier denied that there was any ground for such gloomy anticipations. Mr Stout moved the adjournment of the debate, but the motion was negatived on (ha voices. The Auckland members pointed out that the Government knew they were going to bring down this resolution, when they legalised the Piako Swamp sale to their friends at 2s Gd per acre, and that was not fair. Mr Rees said it was scandalous. ■ Mr Stafford pointed out the necessity for some such resolution to put a bar to speculations in laud. Mr Stout moved, as an 'amendment, that the resolution should apply only to Nelson, Wellington, and Hawke’s Bay, hut lost it by 4t5 against 18. •Mr Stout thou moved that the Chairman repon. progress, hut this was defeated by 42 ngamst 18. Ultimately the Premier accepted an amendment by Mr Bastings, to the effect that the resolution should not affect lands leased or sold on deferred payments, which was carried on the voices. July G. . The House met again at 2.30 this afternoon. The Government told Mr Swanson they would not this session consider*the adulteration and fraud in the sale of bread. After other business, a long discussion was raised on a motion of Sir George Grey’s, for the production of all correspondence- relating to the apprehension of Wiuiata, the murderer. Sir George Grey made a long speech, the gist of which was that the Native Minister had weakened our prestige with the Natives, and staino 1 the honor of the country by attending the meeting in the King comdry, at ..which murderers were present. The' whole speech was intended to slow that the Native Policy of the Government was a failure. The Native Miirs'er made a vigorous reply, denying tin*, allegations of Grey, and affirming that he kept in his private pay an ends- ary \vbor»c real, if not. ostensible dutv was to stir no discontent and jerl in y Yu the King d n itry against the Nat.'ve Minister.

Tlic delate was cut short by the arrival of 5.30. o’clock. Shortly after the House resinning at 7.30 r. n., the debate on Sir George Grey’s motion was resumed, ami was conducted with som ■ warmth. Supporters of Sir 10. McLean and the present policy looked at the turn the debate had taken as an attempt to censure the present administration of Native Affairs, as the speeches generally embraced the policy as a whole, instead of merely the object of the motion, regarding which nothing was said, the papers called for having been laid upon the table before debate commenced. Those who concurred in the remarks of Sir George Grey, generally looked upon the management of native affairs as a useless waste of money, and, to use a colloquial term, humbug. That it would have been better for the Colony in the long rim, if we bad conquered a peace, made the Maorics respect us, and placed them in the same position as regards the law of the land that Europeans are. Those who approYed of the present policy contended that a six months war would cost more than all the Native Minister spent, and that if the Colony had attempted to conquer a peace, it would have failed, its credit would have been ruined and public works still have been uncommenced. After a great deal of talk on both sides, the motion was agreed to. Some formal business was transacted and the House adjourned at 10.15. July 7. •The House met at 2.30 pan. The Hon. Mr Richardson, in reply to Mr Murray said that the Public Works Statement would be brought down before the end of the month. Considerable debate ensued as to whether the House should go into Committee of Supply then, or on Tuesday next. The Government favored the latter, as more convenient. StTiral members raised objections to debating the.Financial Statement, before they had all the Government bills. The objections ware overruled, and it was ordered that the House go into supply, on Tuesday. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied over the Local Election Regulation Bill, and the Levying of Rates Bill. Little or no objections were raised against the principles of these hills, hut different members objected to certain details. In this discussion it was also urged, that these bills should not have been brought down until after the Counties Bid was disposed of. as not to d-- * •••a • 'h- "d ■■■ v J :' ; ■■ -