SECOND EDITION PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2871, 7 June 1882, Page 3

SECOND EDITION PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. V. ELLINGTON, June 6. The Council met at 3 p.m. yesterday. QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr Wilson, the Hon. Mr Whitaker said the Government had no intention of introducing any material amendment to the “ Harbor Board Act ” of 1877. The Government looked with disfavor upon the different Harbor Boards introducing Acts affecting the general Act, unless in very exceptional circumstances.' COLONIAL INDUSTRIES. On the motion of Mr Chamberlain, it was agreed that, in the opinion of the Council, it is desirable that more extended statistical returns should be placed "before Parliament, of the various industries at present carried on in the colony. WEST COAST COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT. Mr Hart moved the appointment of n Select Committee to enquire and report upon certain statements in the second report of the West Coast Commissioners. THIRD READINGS, ! The Vagrant Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Banks and Bankers Act Amendment Bill was partly passed through Committee. The Council adjourned at 4.55 p.m. HOUSE OF REPKESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NEW BILLS. The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :—A Bill to Con aolidato all the Educational Reserves in the Colony ; to Amend the Law of Libel (Mr Sheehan) PASSED. The Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill Amendment Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed. WEST COAST PEACE PRESERVATION BILL. dThe House went into Committee on the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill. The Hon. Mr Bryce accepted the amendment of Mr Tawhai. that the number of natives mentioned in clause 7 should bo 60 instead of 20, Mr Shepherd moved an amendment to clause 7, to make it read, “any Justice of the Peace not being a. member of the Armed Constabularly.” The question was put that the words 'bo added, and the House divided— Ayes, 29 ; Noes, 51. Phe amendment was lost and the clase passed. After considerable discussion Sir George Grey moved that progress bo reported to enable him to to prepare three new clauses, with a view of giving

effect to the recommendations of the , West Coast Commissioners that the 1 Native reserves be made inalienable. , He appealed to them on the score of [ of justice, to afford him the opportunity 1 he desired for doing the native race a | substantial act of justice. Mr Sheehan supported the application. He appealed to the Government that having removed a great public difficulty they should show to the Native race that they wore prepared and anxious to conserve their best rights. The Hon. Mr Bryce insisted that the proposed amendment ought to bo made a separate Bill. The amendment was incompatible with the purpose and character of the measure itself. The amendment was lost on the voices. On the question for the adoption of the schedule, Mr Sheehan moved that progress be reported for the purpose of affording Sir George Grey the opportunity asked for moving his additions. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House met at 7 30 p.m. In Committee, consideration of the Peace Preservation Bill was resumed. Sir Georg Grey moved a series of amendments, which the Chairman ruled out of order. Mr Sheehan moved as an amendment of the preamble that all words implying tho guilt of Te Whiti and the other prisoners be struck out. He argued that these persons could only be held to be guilty after trial. The fact was what was sought to be done was to prevent them from having the opportunity of getting such trial. A position of that kind was calculated to hold them up to ridicule in tho eyes of the world. Tho Hon Mr Bryce argued that so far as the Bill went the House had constitued itself judge and jury, and assumed their guilt at the same time. He thought there was good reason for preserving tho preamble. Mr Sheehan insisted that while they were entitled to assume some things, they had no right to assume what they know to be manifestly untrue. They never could assume for themselves the functions of a Jndge. They could very well take powers and drop the preamble altogether. Mr Montgomery supported the amendment, and argued that there was enough explanatory in the first part of the preamble to justify the Bill without the after part asserting the prisoners’ guilt. Mr Turnbull moved as a further amendment, that the preamble set forth that “To Whiti was incited to sedition by the neglect of this and previous Governments to vest the reserves in the Natives.” The amendment was negatived on the voices. Sir George Grey Grey _ supported the original amendment, adding that in his own mind he believed the Government was not only convinced that Te Whiti had not been guilty, but also that a conviction could not be secured. The House divided on the preamble as printed—Ayes 51, uoes 17. The amendment was therefore lost. The Bill was then passed, and reported with amendments, which were ordered to be considered to-morrow. THE INDEMNITY BILL. The Hon Mr Bryce moved the , second reading of the Indemnity Bill, which was agreed to without comment. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS BILL. This Bill was read a second time. The debate on the Peace Preservation Bill was then proceeded with. The House adjourned at midnight.