HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1346, 23 August 1883, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Tuesday, August 22. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Replies to Questions. Ministers said every possible step had been taken to secure the arrest in Australia of W. gDale, who had absconded from his bail in New Plymouth. The bondsmen had offered to pay the expenses. The Colonial Secretary had no discretion ary powers to refuse licenses for totalisators to Racing Clubs. The Act was mandatory, and the Government did not see its way to alter the law this session. The Government did, and would as far as possible, so arrange the Government contracts as to allow manufacturers who are not importers to tender for colonial made articles. The Petition Committee’s recommendation re the Widow of the late Major Withers would be given effect to, and the vote would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates. Major Atkinson moved that Government business take precedence for the next two Wednesdays. Mr Montgomery opposed the motion, which, after considerable discussion, was carried on a division by 47 to 27Native Land Acts Amendment Bill. On the motion for going into Committee on the Native Lands Acts Amendment Bill, Mr Moss and Mr J. W. Thompson spoke in opposition to the Bill as being calculated to retard settlement. EVENING SITTING. Mr Sheehan strongly opposed the Bill. The North Island did not want it. It would lock up all Native lands from settlement, and drive capital to the south. It was most unfair of the south, which got its land from the Natives for nothing, to force such a Bill on the north. Theie were only two fair courses open —either for the Government to resume land buying, or to sanction free trade in Native lands, simply insisting on sufficient reserves. The Bill would only drive respectable purchasers out of the field. Others would risk its penalties. Mr Fish considered the Bill an honest attempt at honest legislation, and would sup* port it thoroughly. Mr Smith opposed the Bill. It would cause great ruin and hardship to hundreds. Many Natives would put their land through the Court, and it would be idle. All leases of laud for timber getting purposes would be rendered invalid, and the saw mills in Hawke’s Bay would be nearly all shut up. The Europeans ware now actually rated for lands the occupation of which this Bill would render illegal. Mr Taiaroa opposed, and Mr Tawhai supported the Bill. Messrs. Ivess, Hobbs, and Te Wheoro supported the measure, and Messrs. Macandrew, Turnbull and Joyce spoke against it. . A Mr Stevens moved that it be committed that day six months. This was rejected on a division of 42 to 8, aad Mr Bryce having replied, promised to bring down several new clauses on Thursdav. the House went into Committee on the Bill. In Committee, clause 6 was struck out, in order that a new clause might afterwards be inseried. Clause 7 was amended by adding a proviso defining the term “Native Laud.” The remaining clauses were passed with slightly verbal amendments, and, after a brief dfacusaion, the bill was reported and ordered to be re cmnmi’ted on Thursday, to consider the new clause. The House rose at 12.40.