HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3608, 20 July 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Monday.

The House met at 2.30

Mr Reid gave notice thot he would ask if Government proposed amending the law of newspaper libel this session. In replying to a question from Sir G. Grey, Mr Bryce stated that Tawhai, on coming to Wellington to join the West Coast Commission, applied for an allowance of money towards expenses, such as paying for a survey and buying a watch, which had been refused. Before making the application he was perfectly well aware of the names of the two other members, appointed on the Commission. The debate on the second reading of the Maori Prisoner's' Bill was resumed by Mr Montgomery, who spoke against the measure.

Mr C. C. Bowen contended that the prisoner! had not been merely arrested tor trespass, but because the country was in a state of war. All technicalities ought to.be dispensed with, and the question faced as one of detention, in consequence of war, or a threatened outbreak of war. Mr Ballance disputed the idea that a disturbance would be treated if 1 these men were liberated, contending that war was more likely to result from their unjust detention than otherwise. Te Whiti was mainly responsible for the trespass, and it was he who. should be punished.He criticised the Native Commission repdrt, and showed that the recommendations contained in the report were not at all proportionate with the promises, and professions made re confiscations by sue* cessire Governments. He charged the Governments of 1869 and 1870 with being responsible for the present state of affairs on the West Coast.

Mr Gisbonie said the principle of the bill was not a postponement of the trial,, but an abolition of the right of trial alto* gather. It was not as had been asserted a trivial offence the) natives stood charged with. It was riot, if not treason, and as such should be smartly dealt with by a court of law. He, too, would hot oppose the bill, but did so solely on the representation of Government.

Hon. J. Hall said Government was anxious to allow prisoners their fre.adom as soon as possible, and they would be liberated the moment that could be done with safety. The powers sought by Government would be carefully and constitutionally exercised. It was absurd to describe the natives at an oppressed

people; all the oppression to which they were subjected came from their professed but false friends. The condition of affairs was exceptional, so much so that not a law in existence could meet them; that was the reason why they had to ask the House for exceptional legislation. Mr BroWn spoke in opposition to the bill.

Debate adjourned at 5.30.