HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr Sutton presented a petition from the Municipal Council of Napier, praying that subsidies might be continued for the present year. The Hon. Mr Bryce in reply to a question denied that .Mr R. S. Thomson the Government Interpreter, attached to Colonel Roberts’staff, had been employed by the Press Association and the “N.Z. Times” newspaper as correspondent while engaged in the Government service.
In reply to Mr Moss, who asked whether the Civil Service Commission had been authorised to consider the expediency of decentralising the railway aid other departments of the public service, the Premier said their report would be laid before the House in the course of a week.
In reply to Mr Turnbull, Major Atkinson said that the £40,000 mentioned in the financial statement as having been advanced temporarily on the debentures of the Whiimoa Railway Company was voted under the authority contained in clause 11) of the Public Revenues Act, and that the advance was made to prevent the debentures going to the Engligh market, New Zealand being pledged to contract no further loan for a period of three years.
Replying to Mr Sccldon, Mr Rollcston said the Government had no intention this session to bring in a Bill altering the constitution of the Waste Lands Boards of the colony by making them elective or partially so. Replying to Dr "Wallis, Mr Oliver said that most certainly clause 23 oh" the general conditions of Government contracts, for tiic payment every fortnight in cash of the workmen’s wages, would bo enforced.
l)r Wallis asked what they had already done, and what further they intended to do, in order to secure the land included in the Hot Springs district, at Eotomahana and Rotorua, for the benefit of the public. Mr Bryce said the Government desired to secure the country, but the natives were opposed to parting with the land. They had done something towards preventing it going into private hands, but he did not flatter himself that the complete right to the country would be readily acquired by the Government. 1' IX A XCIAL ST A TEM EX T. Mr Hall said that in consequence of the papers connected with the inscription of the £5,000,000 loan having only been circulated that day, and as it was necessary these papers should be studied bj r members before proceeding with the discussion on the financial proposals, he proposed to defer that discussion, and instead, the Nativo Minister would proceed with the second reading of the Native Lands Sale Bill. After some discussion, it was resolved to go into Committee on the Regulations of Elections Bill. After the adjournment progress was reported. XATIVE LANDS SALES DILL. Mr Bryce, in moving the second reading of the Native Land Sales Bill, said the law at present was not in a satisfactory condition, and the object of the Bill was to simplify this law. Each of the eight Bills brought in embodying the native policy, would deal with a different branch of the subject. He referred at some length to past legislation on the subject. He dwelt on the irregularities and demoralisation caused by the system of employing (lovernment land purchase agents. The payment of compensation for confiscated lands was next referred to. Payments to the duel's were made secretly, and they were ordered to sign fictitious names to hide the nature of the transaction. They must do away with the old system. The present system the pre-emptive right, was, in his opinion, the best device that could be resorted to, but it would be impossible now to carry that out. Free trade in native lands was equally untenable. What then remained for them to adopt ? He believed that the only valid system was that contained in the Bill, the second reading of which lie now proposed. The great object should be to settle those lands, and lie contended that the Bill before the House was a step in the right direction. It was, he thought, the best law that could be devised under the circumstances. It was true that the Maoris might not be disposed to place their lands in the hands of the Waste Lands Board. To make it popular with the Maoris, it was proposed to enable them to make reasonable advances upon land. As regards the Maoris themselves, it would eventually be a very great relief to them. It would save them from the perpetual annoyances of these persons, who were always after them for their lands. Ho detailed the features of the Bill, and concluded by moving the second reading.
MajorTo Wheoro moved the adjournment off the debate.
Mr Hamlin, in seconding the motion for the adjournment, said they had heard something from tiio mover which they would much like to enquire into.
Sir George Grey said the speccli liad been chicily an attack upon other persons, and it was only fair the late Native 'Minister should be present before the debate was gone on with. The motion for adjournment was then put and agreed to, ‘and the debate adjourned till Friday. NATIVE RESERVES BILL. The Native Reserves Bill was withdrawn. IN COMMITTEE. The House then went into committee on the Pharmacy Bill, and, on resuming, it was reported with amendments and ordered to be considered on Friday. adjournment. At 11.10 p.m. the House adjourned.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SCANT18800616.2.9.2
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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2261, 16 June 1880, Page 2
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888HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2261, 16 June 1880, Page 2
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