PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2906, 19 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, July 18. The Councili'met at 2.30 p.m. BEPLYTO QUESTIONS. In reply to Captain Fraser, the Hon. Mr Whittaker said that the question as to the Omarunui block, Hawkes Bay and how it shall be settled with the Natives, was under the consideration, of the Government. LAW PEACTITIONEB3 BILL. The” Hon Mr Whittaker moved the second reading of his Law Practitioners Bill, and a long debate followed, several members objecting to the Bill being gone on with until Sir George Grey’s Bill was before them. Ultimately the second reading was’ carried, and the Bill was referred to a Select Committee,’ it being understood that in dealing with it they would take also the Statute Revision Commiasionera’s report, and Sir George Grey’s Bill on the same subject, and put what portions of each they think desirable into it. EIGHT HOUES BILL. Mr McLean moved the second read* ing of the Eight Hours Bill. A large number of members spoke against it, contending that it could do no possible good, and if it had any effect at all, it would be a mischievous one, as disturbing the present relations between employers and employed. The Bill was thrown out by 17 to 9. For the Bill—Messrs Dignan, Fraser, Henderson, McLean, Pharazyn, Eobia* son, Scotland, Wilson, and Sir George Whitmore. . Against the Bill—Messrs Brett, Grace, Gray, Hart, Holmes,. Menzieg, Miller, Nurse, Oliver, Peacock, Pollen, Richmond, Stevens, Whitaker, Williams and Williamson. ADJOUBNMENT. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m.' HOUSE.OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE'S SEPOBTNearly the whole afternoon was taken up with a discussion on the Be* port of the Native Affairs Committee on the petition of some natives at Riverton complaining about being deprived of certain reserves., The Com* mittee reported that the petition should be laid oh, the table and he referred to Government. Mr Feldwick moved as an addition that the Committee be empowered to pay the expenses of all necessary witnesses. A farther discussion, in which a large number of members participated, took place on this, and on a division the ayes were 42 and the noos 42. The Speaker said that on the ground of saving public expense, ho was bound to vote with the noes. The addition was therefore negatived, and the motion to refer the report back carried. NEW BILL. A Bill intituled the Auckland Uni* versity Bill was received by Message from the Governor. GISBOBNB HAEBOB BOAED BILL. The Gisborne Harbor Board Bill (Mr McDonald) was introduced and read a first time, and the House adjourned for dinner. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. THE LAND BILL. The debate on the Land Bill was continued by Colonel Trimble, who spoke in favor of the Bill. It was an esperimental measure to bo applied only to a limited extent until its value was tested. That was one of its great beauties. It only proposed to add another to the existing systems of dealing with the public estate. So long as a sufficiently secure tenure was obtained, it mattered little whether the land was freehold or leasehold. The proposal for a leasehold tenure was, ho thought, absolutely perfect. ■ There was only a very small percentage of defaulters amongst the deferred payment settlers, only abont 600 out of 10,000, and all the complaints came from one part of tho colony. The very large

number of these settlers who resided in his part of the country, were quite satisfied. He thought it was a Bill which was meant to do good, and he was of opinion’it would. Several alterations might be made in Committee. He would give the Bill his very cordial support.

Mr Hutchison was desirous of expressing his gratification at the- introduction of the Bill. If worked well the Bill would have beneficial results, perbaps more than the promoter anticipated. Several members had referred to the interpretation of the word “ improvements.” He (Mr Hutchison) would in Committee endeavor to introduce into, the Bill his idea of what interpretation should be put on this word. It was high time there was a change in the land system. It had been said that the occupiers would not pay their rents, and the State could not compel them to do so, but he was unable to understand such an argument., What was wanted was that there should be a numerous population settled on the land, and he would do all in his power to bring about such a desirable state of things. The principle of the Bill was in some degree theoretical, but he hoped the House would make it practical. Clauses 3 to 40 should be eliminated, as he thought they were obstructive. ~ Mr Peacock would express his entire disapproval of the Bill, if made applicable to the whole of the colony, but was reconciled to the Bill to some extent, as it was only to be partial in its operation. He would vote for the second reading of the Bill, but in Committee would endeavor to effect alterations.

Mr Shephard: thought the changes proposed in the Bill were of such a natorb as to require the closest attention. He did not wonder at the term “ rcvolntinary ” being applied to them. He admitted that the BUI provided for “fixity of tenure at a price,” but “fixity of'tenure” as to its condition would depend, upon the Government, who appointed the umpire or third arbitrator The conditions of fixity of tenure were exceedingly, harsh and cruel, and the people under snch conditions wonld be slaves to the soil. Free sale was limited at the will of the Board, as provided in danse 20. It would be iar better to say that mortgaging should no” be allowed thgn impose the conditions in this Bill. There could be no danger in the ballot system which had been proposed, if there was sufficient land thrown open at one : time. The obligations entered into by the lessee were the key of the whole Bill. If a new, : departure: ought to be taken it ought to be taken as much in the interest of the cultivator as that of .the Colonial Treasurer. The terms of leasing ought to be altered so that the terms of . the bargains could be carried out uprightly. As the Bill stood he regretted that it had been brought down. It was unsound, unjust and nnworkable. He was certain it could never gel through ;the House in its present state. . ; , Mr Rutherford, speaking from Irish experience, defended the leasing system. He denied that its effect was injurious there, or the cause of existing difficulties there. In Scotland, ■ too; the landlords and tenants system acted well, although the condition of the leases were being revised in accordance with more scientific knowledge, as to rotation of crops, artificial manures, etc. This Bill would put the Hew ,Zealand tenants ip the . same position as the Scotch, Irish, and English wished to be put in. He bad no fear of the political power of tenants or their exhausting the land by over-cropping. lie would not object to see proof required that men possessed sufficient capital before being allowed to take up a lease.. He did not wish to see the other existing systems of disposing of land done away with, nor would he hamper any man as to the quantity of land he could take up. Mr Stevens strongly,urged the necessity for elective Band Boards. He considered the Bill a liberal one, calculated., to promote settlement. Ho thought the leases at 5 per cent should contain a clause providing for their conversion into freeholds on liberal terras. There should bo a purchasing clause. He- warmly supported the principle of the Bill, although all the details were not perfect. Mr Shrimski supported the idea of elective Land Boards; The great fault of the deferred payment system was the land being subjected; to auction. He approved of the teasing proposals. - He was astonished at members on the other side opposing these provisions of the Bill at all. Mr Turnbull thought the fate of the Bill had been settled by Sir John Hall’s and Mr Weston’s speeches. He could not at all approve of the Bill. He condemned the Government for not taking a' stand on each an important measure, and, making it a Government one to stacid or fall upon. He maintained that the whole of the success of the colony depended on-the disposal of the land.. The present measure would be detrimental to the colony at large and would prevent immigration generally. He warned the Government not to deal with the lands in such a way as to injure the present or future generations. If this leasing system were introduced at all it mast extend over the colony, and where was the cost of the surveys to come from, and what would become of the security to the public creditor for the ten millions borrowed ? He would Jet anyone have land and occupy it who would pay the cost of survey, the land however, remaining subject to such a land tax as would afford ample security to the public creditor The sixteen million acres already sold in the colony had cost twelve millions of money to survey alone. Mr Turnbull concluded at 12.40 a.m. Mr Bracken moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House then rose.