PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2936, 23 August 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, August 22. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. NEW BILLS. The following Bills wore received from the Lower House and read a first time Law Practitioners Bill* Glad, stone Recreation Reserve Bill, Napier High School Bill aqd the North Timam Cemetery Sale Bill TUXES HEADINGS. The Industrial Schools Bill was read a third time. BBCOMD HEADINGS. Mr McLean moved the second read* ing of the Trustees, Executors and Agency Company Bill. Several members spoke both in sap* port of and against the measure, after which the debate was adjourned. The Otago Harbor Board Further Empowering Bill was read a second time, after a very short discussion, and the Council adjourned from 5,30 p.m till 7.30 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. SECOND HEADINGS. The Explosives Bill, the Stamp Bill, the Employers Liability Bill, and the Protection of Telegrams Bill were read a second time. SCHOOL COMMITTEES ELECTION BILL. The School Committees Election Bill was thrown out after a short discussion by 19 votes to 12. For the Bill—Messrs Bonar, Brett, Chamberlain, Lahman, Monaiea, Miller, Peter, Reynolds, Stevens, Williams, Wilson, and Sir G. Whitmore. Against—Messrs Acland, Baillie, P. A. Buckley, Dignan, Eraser, Grace, Gray, Hart, Holmes, G. M. Johnston, Maclean, Oliver, Peacock, Pollen, Scot, land, Whitaker, Wigley, Williamson, and Wood. The Council rose at 10 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 7.30 p.m. to-day. amendments agbeed to. The amendments made by the Legis- I

lative Council in the Supreme Court Amendment Bill were agreed to. NATIVE BILLS.

The Hon. Mr Bryce moved the second reading of the Native Lands Act Amendment Bill, The motion was carried after discussion. The Hon Mr Bryce moved the committal of the Native Reserves Bill. Mr Taiaroa moved that it be committed that day six months. Mr Stevens seconded the amendment, and Mr Tawbai spoke in support of it. Mr Hobbs supported the Bill. Mr Kelly opposed the Bill, mentioning the objection about such a vast area of land in the North Island being placed under the control of an officer not responsible to Parliament. : The Hon Mr Bryce replied that the Government had brought in the Bill as a matter of duty, and for no other reason. It was easy to instil suspicion into the minds of Maoris, and that was what had been done in this case. So far as the Bill was correctly known, it was approved of by the natives and he had received telegrams to that effect from important chiefs. It was true that some of the Maoris could take care of themselves, but others could not. It was a notorious fact that many Maoris were appointed to represent others in these blocks, and flagrantly abased the trust. It was necessary to protect the Maori land against such men. In many instances he found the Maoris desirons of 3 selling their last acre with! nothing before them but beggary. It had been said that the Maoris had no confidence in the Native Minister, That was an argument in favor of the Bill, as it proposed to take the land from under his control and place its administration in other hands. To, have these lands placed under the control of the Waste Land Boards would not obviate the objection to having them under Ministerial control, as, it would be merely shifting them from the Native Minister to the Minister of Lands. The House divided Ayes, 40 ; Noes, 34.

The motion for committal was carried. ! The Native Land Division Bill was also committed. In Committee on the Native Reserves Bill, Mr Kelly moved an addition so as to make {the Waste Lands Boards of advice to the Public Trustee^a the ad. ministration of these lands. The Hon. Mr Bryce refused to accept tbe amendment. Mr Stevens supported) the amend* ment. The Committee divided Ayes 10, Noes 36. Tbe amendment was therefore lost. At 12.40 Mr Sheehan moved that progress be reported on tbe three Bills, with leave to sit again, which was accepted, and the House rose immediately afterwards,!to meet again at noon to-morrow.