HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3374, 15 October 1879, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30

Mr Hall, in rising to make the statement promised on Friday, said that representations had been made in connection with the appointment of Mr Tomoana to the Government. Ho wished to explain that he had had only two interviews with Tomoana, neither of which was sought for by him. The statement of Mr Sheehan that he (Mr Hall) had made promises of an extravagant character to got Tomoana to join tho Government, and the similar statements made by Mr Beetham and other gentlemen were without foundation. Mr Hall added if he had been capable of making the offers imputed to him he would consider himself unworthy of the position he now held in the House.

In explanation, Mr Sheehan stated that Tomoana distinctly said Mr Hall sought the 'interviews, and that the other statements were made in reply to questions put to him to Mr Hall. Mr Hall went on to aay the Bills mentioned on Friday were in course of being framed by the Attorney-General, and he would ask leave to introduce them to-morrow. The Land Bill prepared by the late Government, with a few slight alterations would be adopted and brought down not later than Thursday, a financial statement would be made by the Treasurer that ni^ht, and the Native Minister would make his statement on Thursday. The West Coast troubles had occasioned a very large expenditure, which, considering all the circumstances, could not, with safety to the settlers have been avoided. They had been put to serious loss and inconvenience and considering these facts they had shown great forbearance. Steps would be taken, however, to put an end to these troubles at once. It was alleged the trouble arose in a great measure from unredeemed promises, and under such circumstances a Royal Commission would be appointed to inquire into all the facts of the case. The law with regard to the alienation of native lands was unsatisfactory, and a promise made by the late Native Minister to make a change therein had not been given effect to, a proposal had been made to sell these lands on behalf of natives, and that course wa.B looked on favorably by the Government, and an effort would be made to carry it out during the session. The purchase of native lands carried on by the Government during the last two years was in a very unsatisfactory condition. They proposed that the Government ad* vcrtisements should be fairly distributed regardless of political opinions of newspapers. Mr Hall then asked leave to introduce a bill to amend the lair relating to electors qualified to vote at elections. They proposed that it should be based on the principle of Manhood Suffrage—that every man who resided in the colony 12 months, and in a particular electoral district six months, should be entitled to vote.

Mr Macandrew mored an amendment to the following effect :—" That, while this House is anxious to pass the Electoral Bill, it declines to do so until it has been shown that the Government as constituted possesses the confidence of the House."

The Speaker ruled that the amendment could not be put. Mr Macandrew. said all that was left for them was to oppose all Government motions till the question of confidence was settled. He reiterated that those on his side of the House had no wish, to interrupt business in token of such he pointed to the fact that they had elected him leader, he being well known as a working and not a talking member.

Mr Pitt asked if the motion was now negatived could it be reintroduced again that session.

The Speaker replied in the negative, and after further discussion,

Mr Sheehan moved—"That the debate be adjourned till 7.30, so as to allow the Financial Statement, promised to be made, the present debate to be resumed thereafter."