HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3620, 3 August 1880, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wellington, Monday. The House met at 2.30.

Mr Beid presented a petition from the brewers and publicans of Westland against the imposition of the Beer Tax. Mr Wood gave notice that he would, on going into Committee on the Native Lands Sales Bill, move a resolution affirming that native owners should be enabled to dispose of their lands without Government interference, after receiving certificates from Native Lands Courts'. ..

It was agreed, on the motion of the Hon.Mr Hall, that the House tomorrow resolve itself into committee to consider the following resolutions:—That the House approves of arrangements made (by telegram dated 31st May 79) for the Government of New Zealand joining in a scheme for duplicating the telegraph cable from Fort Darwin upon the con* ditions set forth in a memorandum of agreement between the Government's of New South Wales and Victoria and Colonel Glover on behalf of the Eastern' Extension Australasia and China Telegraphic Company, dated 4th December, 1878.

; A bill to amend the Property Assessment Act 1879 was introduced and read a first time.

The House considered the amendment made by the Legislative Council in the Election Petitions Bill, and debate disagreed to them. A committee was apr pointed to draw up and sustain the reason for dissent.

Mrßryce moved the second reading of the Native Lands Court Sill. It proposed to render tbe proceedings lesslenthy and cumbersome than under ttte existing Act* The object was to return as much as possible to the proceedings of the Act in force prior to the passing of the Act of 1873. Tomoana, Tawhai, and Te Wheoro supported the bill, and expressed at tha same time an opinion that it should in committee be examined, so as to provide that the natives should have more to do in conducting the business of these Courts.

Sir W. Fox supported the bill, but suggested that it did not go far enough in the way of making provision for taxing the costs of agenta and lawyers employed by natives. Mr Wood also supported the bill, but would oppose the Natives Lands Sales Bills.

Sir George Grey and Mr DeLautour opposed the bill. ' Mr Thompson objected to the bill, and charged .one of the members of the Government with having been mixed up in these land transactions.

Hon. Mr Eolleston denied the imputation, and on its being repeated by Mr Thompson he (Mr Rolleston) rose to a point of. order, which the Speaker disallowed. Mr Thompson concluded by repeating his objections to the bill. Mr Bryce replied, after which the bill was read a soeond time.