PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 265, 14 August 1872, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

WELLINGTON. Tuesday night. Mr McLean moved the second reading of the Maori Representation Bill, the object of which is to extend the operations of the present Act for five years, giving the Governor power also to make alterations in the boundaries of the districts to be represented. He spoke very highly of the effect experience had had on the Maori mind. Mr Sheehan intimated his intention of proposing amendments to increase the number of Maori members, and to alter the districts, so as to make the members representatives of a tribe rather than of a large area of country. Mr Fox thought that the Tribal principle was wrong, and also expressed his surprise that none of the Provincial Councils had followed the example of the General Assembly, and under the powers given them by the Act, introduced Maori members. Mr Fitzherbert promised to bear the subject in miud. Mr Stafford moved that an additional member should be granted to the Tauranga and Waikato natives. Several other members, including the Maori representatives, supported the bill, the second reading of which was carried. The remainder of the afternoon’s sitting was spent in committee on the Deceased Wife’s Sister’s Marriage Bill, which, after a good deal of opposition, was altered so as to make its action prospective only, and not retrospective. In this shape it passed through the committee. The Government have withdrawn for the present session the Government Annuities Act Extension Bill, in consequence of the feeling on the Assurance Companies Bill about the Government entering into competition with private companies.