HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4236, 29 July 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30. Replying to questions put, it was stated that the increase of pay to railway employes would take effect from the 21st July current. Government had been prosecuting the work of replanting forest trees, and with the view of further stimulating exertions in that direction provision .would be made on the Supplementary Estimates for encouraging local bodies to prosecute the work. The following bills were introduced and read a first time:—Eoads and Bridges Construction; Counties Act 1876 Amend-

ment (Atkinson); Resumption of Land , for Gold Mining Purposes ; Gold Mining on Public Reserves (Rolleston). MINING BILLS. The following bills were read a second time :■—Mining on Harbor Boards He serves; Mining on Education Reserves; Mining on Water Race Reserves. The Canterbury Rivers Act 1870 Amendment, Stamp, and Cemeteries Bills were read a second time. NATIVE BEBEBVES BILL. The adjourned debate on the Native Reserves Bill was resumed by Tawhai, who stated that in common with his people he looked upon the bill as most unsatisfactory.

Mr Bryce said that the Public Trustee would be assisted by a commissioner in controlling these reserves. The idea was first mooted of placing these lands under trustees in such a way as that it would remove them beyond that political influence which at times was alleged to be exercised upon them by Ministers of the day. He agreed in the proposal, and would be prepared to accept an amendment in the direction of having a Maori placed on the Board : his advice in the management of the Board would be invaluable. The indmdualisalion of title was the object aimed at by the bill, but as they well knew that was a work of time, and would have to be proceeded with cautiously. He controverted the opinion that the Maoris as a people are decreasing. If, then, they were to be a permanent race, it was necessary that an inheritance should be provided for them. Mr Montgomery said he objected to any orovernment having such vast powers over boards as contained in the present bill. He thought there should be a board who could overrule any commission, and who would be independent of Government.

Mr Thompson thought Government t should not press the measure in face of the 'opposition from the natives. That alone snowed that native business should be reduced, not increased, which would be the case if the bill became law. They would have to establish' a native office under a different name. A section of the Trust Office would have to be allocated to native business.

Major Atkinson thought it was very undesirable for these reserves to be vested entirely in the hands of natives to dispose of them as they thought fit. ; Mr Moss observed that he had only heard to-day that some gentlemen in town were making negotiations with the Government for some of these lands. He asked the Government to say yea or nay.

Mr Macandrew spoke strongly against the bill. • ' ■

Mr Watt thought that anybody who had at heart the good and the welfare of the natives would vote for the bill. It was absolutely necessary for the benefit of the Maori race that the bill should pass. An amendment by Mr Kelly, "That the bill be read this day six months," was now before the House. A division took place, with the following result: —Ayes, 40; noes, 34. The bill then passed its second reading. The Leaseholders' Qualifications Bill passed its second reading with the following result .—Ayea, 31; noes, 21. The bill was ordered to be re-committed on Tuesday. The House then went into Committee on the Aliens Act Amendment Bill, and it was reported with an additional clause. This day. The Sheriff's Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Education Districts Bill and Industrial School Bill were passed through committee and reported with amendments. At 1.25 the House rose.