PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3027, 28 October 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Peb Pbess Agency.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AFTERNOON SITTING.

WELLINGTON.

Saturday. THE BAT OF ISLANDS BOLL.

Mr Williams to ask the Native Minis, ter if it is the intention of the Government to appoint a Commission in accordance with the report of the Native Affairs Committee, on the petition of Herimea Te Ara, and others, relative to the Monganui and Bay of Islands Eleotoral Boll; and if so, when P The Hon. Mr Sheehan said it was the intention of the Government to appoint a Commission to sit during the recess. FEBB PABBB3 ON EAILWATS. Mr Fyke to ask the Government whe-1 ther they will cancel the whole of the free railway passes now in circulation i with a view of re-issuing suoh free passes only as may appear to the Government to be necessary. He said three thousand free passes-were in circulation. ! The Hon. Mr Macandrew said directions had been given that all the passes now in circulation shall cease at the end of the year, with a view of issuing only such as may be deemed necessary. NATIVE PETITION. Mr Taiaroa asked the Government whether they will, during the recess, give effect to the decision of the Native Affairs Committee on the petition of Tapi FatakeP The Hon. J. Rheeban said the matter would receive consideration during the recess.' PIKH ASTB COPYBIGHT ACT. Mr Barton asked the Government

whether it is their intention to proceed with the Fine Arts Copyright Act, 1877, Amendment Bill this present session; if not, whether they will undertake to bring; the bill in again sufficiently early nextsession to give the House a.reasonable oppontunity to discuss its merits P ' PAT OF GAOL OFFICERS. Mr Murray-Aynsley to ask the Minis ter of Justice what steps the GoTernment intend taking to carry out the recommendation of the report of the committee as to the rate of pay of officers of the various gaols throughout the colony. The Hon. J. Sheehan said he would not like the Government to answer without more consideration. He would possibly reply this evening. PUBLIC DOMAINS. Mr Bowen asked the Minister of Lands what provision the Government propose to make for the maintenance of public domains iv the colony. The Hon. R. Stout said the Government had decided in the vicinity of towns to place domains under local bodies, who could manage them easily. The amount placed on the estimates for this was £3,C00, but no appropriations would be made in future. Mr Bowen complained that no intimation had been given to the local bodies. A common understanding had existed that provision would be made. DEFEBBBD PAYMENT LAND. Dr Hodgkinson asked the Government if they intend to amend the Land Aot of 1877 so as to reduce the price of deferred payment land from £3 an acre to 30s. If they will also amend the Land Act so that when there are several applicants ownership shall be determined by ballot instead of by auction. The Hon. R. Stout said the queition < would be answered in the discussion on the motion of the member for Invercargill. ' THE ELECTOBAL BILL AMENDMENTS. ; The Hon. R. Stout brought up the report of the Committee appointed to draw up reasons for the rejection of the amendment of the Legislative Council in the Electoral Bill. The report held that the leasehold franchise was not necessary as miners' rights entitled them to registration on County rolls, therefore there was no reason for debarring them in the bill. Since the Constitution Act has been passed Maoris were entitled to eßj'oy equal privileges with Europeans, and had done nothing to deserve deprivation; and therefore the legislature could not take away their privilege. PUBLIC WOBKS ACT, 1876, AMENDMENT. The House went into Committee on the Public Works Aot, 1876, Amendment Bill, which was reported .without amendment. THE BBOOMHALL CONTBACT. In Committee on the Special Wires and Contracts Bill, Mr Fox denounced the Broomhall contract as a swindle. Sir R. Douglas wanted to put in 400 acres to satisfy the claim. The Hon. R. Stout opposed the proposed addition on the ground that the bill was framed meraly to fulfil promises made by the Government. : •, . . The bill was reported with verbal engagements. NATIVE LAND PUBCHABE BILL. In Committee on the Government Native Land Purchase Bill, Major Atkinson objected to the powers granted under clause 2 as excessive and arbitrary. The Hon. J. Sheehan said the clause was framed to meet cases which had occurred last year. - Mr Russell objected that the persons in bona fide occupation of native lands might be ejected where the land did not j pass through the Court until subsequent to the passing of the Act. - ; The Hon. J. Sheehan said the Act applied only to proclaimed lands. It would not disturb any person until the land was proclaimed and the Act put in force. Mr Sutton condemned the clause and the powers exercised by the Land Pur-, ohaie Department. „ The Hon. J. Sheehan said the object was to prevent titles being complicated by private dealings with land under negotiation. He proposed to increase the number of judges of the Court, who should sit continually until these eases were finally settled. Mr Swanson instanced the case of a settler whose cattle might be driven off. Would compensation be given in such cases P : The Hon. J. Sheehan would promise that the Government would not use the power except in extreme cases. Mr Macfarlane said if the Government would order Courts in all cases.of disputed blocks no difficulty could arise. At the same time he deprecated such arbitrary powers being entrusted to any Government. Mr Morris thought the Government should have certain , powers, but feared they might be used oppressively. Sir R. Douglas contended that the Government, under the clause, would have the power of exeroising authority to injure friends or favour enemies. , The Hon. B. Stout: We have no enemies.. ' , An amendment was inserted making the clause applicable to the lands of the aboriginal occupier as well as owners. The following proviso was added at the end of the clause. " Provided that this section shall not apply to any person in occupation of lands prior to the passing of said Act." In clause 3 " two months was substituted for " thirty days " as the period within which .the Crown's relinquishment of any negotiation shall take effect. The following new clause was inserted:—" When the claim of the Government to any piece or parcel of land shall be heard under the provisions of the one hundred and seventh section of the Native Lands Act 1873, or the sixth section of the Land Act Amendment Aot 1877, it shall be lawful for the Court to award all or any portion of such land to the Government, and if any agreement shall have been entered into for reserving for the use and occupation of. any. person of the native race any lands composed within any suoh blocks it shall be lawful for the Governor to execute a Crown Grant or other instruments of such reserve or reserves in persons interested therein, provided that it shall be lawful for the Governor to insert in such Crown Grants or other instrument, suoh restrictions as he shall deem fit as to the alienability of such reserve, either by sale, lease, or otherwise." The bill was reported with amendment. THE PUBLIC WOBKS AMENDMENT BILL.. The Public Works Amendment Bill passed. THE DISQUALIFICATION BILK AND THE LOBDS., A message from the Legislative Council stated that the Council insists on its amendment is the Disqualification BUI. The House appointed managers.