PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9416, 8 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

HARBOR boards. In the Legislative Council, the Premier said, last Tuesday, that the Government looked with disfavor upon the suggestions of different Harbor Boards with regard to the amendment of the Harbor Board Act. PENNY POSTAGE. In reply to a question, Mr Johnstpn said the penny postage system would mean a loss of £20,000 annually to the colony, and consequently it would not bs undertaken. THE WEST COAST PEACE PRESERVATION BILL. In Committee, on the above Bill. Sir George Grey moved that progress be reported, so as to giye him an opportunity of adding clauses to the Bill making the Native reserves inalienable.

Mr Sheehan,supported this view, but Mr Bryce opposed it, as he thought Sir George Grey’s proposition should bo made a separate Bill. Sir George Grey’s motion was lost. Mr Sheehan moved that all the words in the preamble implying the guilt of Te Whiti be struck out, and as an amendment, Mr Turnbull moved for the insertion of the following :—“ That Te Whiti was incited to sedition by the neglect of this and previous Governments to vest the reserves in the natives.’ It was argued in the course of debate J that as Te Whiti bad not been tried, they had no right to hold him guilty ; that the Government brought forward the Bill because they did not think they could get any evidence to prove him guilty ; but, after an animated discussion the Bill was passed on a division by 51 to I<. INDEMNITY BILL. This Bill has for its object the indemnification of Mr Bryce and everyone who acted with him in putting down the late native disturbance on the West Coast. The crops of the natives were then destroyed, and the Bill was brought forward so that Mr Bryce or any other man could not be held responsible. The Bill was passed without comment. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS BILL. Mr Dick moved the second reading of the above Bill, and it was carried after some debate. NATIVE RESERVES BILL. Mr Bryce moved the second reading of the above measure. Its object was to consolidate the law relating to native resetves, and empower the Land Court to deal with them. After several members had spoken in opposition to the measure, Mr Sheehan said it would have the effect of tieing up every acre of native land in the North Islund. Was that fair to Europeans or Natives. It would have the effect of employing a large number of Government officials and the Maoris would find that the substance would go and the shadow would remain to them. He disapproved of the Bill,but would support it merely to affirm that a change in the law was necessary. The House adjourned at midnight.