PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1138, 4 September 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[per united press association."] House of Representatives. The House re-assembled at 2 p.m. In committee the Road Board Bill, Clause 31, was amended so as to fix the elections for boards the first week in May, 1883, and during the first week of the same month every third year thereafter. On Clause 39 a motion was made that the Clause be amended so as to enable holders of miners’ rights to vote at these elections. Lost, on a division, by 38 to 23. Mr Sheehan moved that no ratepayer he entitled to vote at any election unless he has paid all rates then due by him in respect of his qualification. The addition was adopted. On Clause 5 progress was reported. The Tea Vending Bill was read a third time, and passed. On the motion for adjournment Mr Seddon said they should now insist upon no further busiuess being done until the Public Works Estimates were brought down. The delay in bringing these down was most unprecedented. Mr Turnbull concurred, adding that the present state of things was most disgraceful. Mr Montgomery trusted that the Government would have the estimates down not later than Monday. Major Atkinson said that until the Government knew what money it had at its disposal, and whether the Loan Bills would pass or not, the could not bring down the Public Works Estimates. Adjourned at 5.35 p.m. till 11 a.m. The House met at 11 o’clock. Mr Trimble brought up the report of the Natives Affairs Committee, On the petition of Taiaroa, and on the motion that it lie on the table, Tairoa moved that it be not received. He alleged that it was not considered by the Committee and that it was decided on party grounds. Mr Bryce defended the Committee from the imputation. He warned the Natives that these taunts and imputations would not be tolerated even from Natives. The report was agreed to on a majority of 7 to 6 ] tour of the former being members of the native race. That was what transpired on the previous occasion, since then the report had been recommitted at the instigation of the petitioners. Further evidence was taken and the report now brought up was the almost unanimous finding of the Committee, What ho protested against was the gross imputations made by native members when matters did not suit their views. , If such conduct was persisted in, the Native Affairs Committee would have to be abolished altogether, Te Wheoro said he was quite sure that no good had ever been derived by natives from this committee, and no great narm would be done if it were done away with. As Maori members they only considered Maori claims that were just. He supported the amendment that the report be not received, Mr Sheehan, without defending the objectionable statement made, contended that the imputation was not stronger than has often been made by European members. Maori members had been charged with being a combination on behalf of the Maori people. He asked if they were the only combinations ' in that house ? They had west coast com- I binatfons, province combinations, and all ! sorts of-combinations. With regal’d to their j Claim lie reminded them that all sorts of I promises had been made in ooiiiieutitni with I

this matter. In the other house it was found that this claim had not beeu satisfied, and thia was a state question, and they should have taken every possible evidence on the subject, which had not been done. He regarded this merely as a protest without imputing unspoken motives to anyone. Hr Daniel said that the South Island natives had not been fairly dealt with, and regrptted the position taken up by the Native Minister. TSe fact was that all that was given to the natives for the vast county of Southland would net amount to a sum of a farthing fcr 500 acres. Te Wheoro spoke in support of the amendment. The debate was interrupted by Mr Macandrewf who drew attention to the fact that the Se’ect Committee was sitting without the authority of the House, Major Atkinson moved that authority be now given. Sir John Hall pointed out that the motion under the circumstances, might operate most unfairly; members may have remained away from their Committees knowing that they had not authority and in their absence important business might be transacted. The House divided, ayes 27, noes, 40. Motion lost and order given that any committee sitting that day, be given to understand that that they had no authority, and that any business transacted was invalid. The debate on the report on Tairoa’s petition was resumed. J. B. White suggested that the committee fie remodelled by excluding members of the native race from sitting on that committee. Tomoana considered that a great mistake was made in doing away with the South Island Commission appointed to deal with the claims. Mr Turnbull defended the proceedings of the committee, adding that if the petition again came before the Committee, the report would be much less favorable to claimants, than it now was. On the motion being put, it resulted as follows : —Ayes, 46, Noes, 14. On the motion of Mr Johnston, The Tauranga East Coast and Hot Lakes District Railway Company (Limited) Empowering Bill was introduced and read a first time. Major Atkinson moved the consideration of the report of the select committee on the Brogden Claims. The House adjourned at 1 o'clock.