Last Night's Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3622, 5 August 1880, Page 2

Last Night's Sitting.

On the motion for going into Committee on the Native Land Sales Bill,

Mr Reader Wood moved, as an amendmendment, "That no system of Native Lands Sale will be satisfactory to the House which does not confer on natives named in a certificate of title from the Native Lands Court absolute power to dispose in the open market by sale, lease, or otherwise of the lands described in such certificate with any Government interference. He spoke at some length in support of the motion. Sir. George Grey intimated that he would, in Committee, move clauses to enable natives to y.est their lands in trustees, who should ~hape power to sell to any of Her Majesty's subjects. Tomoana strongly condemned the bill, and supported the amendment. Mr Moorhouse and Captain Colbeck also supported the amendment, and Mr Macandrew the bill. He asked that some native members should be appointed on the Waste Lands Boards.

Tawhia condemned the bill in ev^ry respect. The Hon. J. Hall said the native members' minds had been poisoned against the bill. The Government proposed the bill for the benefit and protection of the natives, and there was really little difference between the trustees proposed by Sir George Grey and the board proposed by the Government. Mr Turnbull supported the bill, if amended as Sir Geo. Grey proposed.. , • This day. The debate was continued. Mr Whyle thought the Bill an honest attempt on the part of the Government to improve matters. Major Te Wheoro and Messrs Lundon and Thompson opposed the Bill, and supported the amendment, Mr Ballance thought the Bill could be made a good one in committee by providing for trustees. Mr Montgomery agreed, and thought the natives should be represented on toe handbooks. Mr Macandrew thought the Bill required great alterations. Mr Bryce said many valuable suggestions had been made, to which he was favorably inclined, especially Sir George Grey's scheme of trustees. He would look with great interest at his proposed clauses. Mr Barron thought the natives should be allowed to frame a Bill of their own. Mr Sheehan strongly opposed the Bill. Under it the natives would get nothing ■■•

tor their land, as it would all be shallowed up in costs. The natives would never consent to come under the Aot. He would support the amendment, but if the bill went iito committee he would try and get it made non-compulsory, and would lupport Sir George Grey's clauses. In its present shape the Bill would buy up all lands, and drive capital from the North Island. He condemned the Government for abandoning the purchase of native lands.

Mr Speight quoted from a speech of Mr Sheehan's delivered on the 27th August last year in Auckland to show he then proposed the very scheme he now condemned in the Bill.

The amendment was negatived on the voice and the House went into committee and one clause was passed when progress was reported.

The House rose at 12.40