HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4542, 26 July 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Yesterday. >„ A number of returns relating to various subjects were ordered, and on the motion of Mr Hamlin a Select Committee was appointed to take evidence as to the erection of guiding lights for the Manukau harbor. . NATIVE LAND RETURNS.

Mr DeLautour moved for a return showing; the several blocks of native lands, their respective acreages, and the Provincial,or registration district in which such blocks are situate, for which certificates of title or Crown grants hare been issued or are read y fqr issue, by order, of the.Compensationf Courts or Native Land Courts, in favour of any number of owners being ten or any less number since the Jst day of January, 1866, distinguishing between the certificates on grants made under each of such acts, and giving the number of persons found by either of the-Courts aforesaid to be interested in the case of each block of land, whose names are registered in the Court but are not; placed in the certificate or grant; such return to show in what cases any restrictions upon alienation other than 'by lease were- imposed, and the nature of such restriction's- ; and alsci to give, the names of the persons placed in the certificates or grants as the owners. He said this information was required to prevent the natives being plundered.—Major Atkinson asked Mr DeLautour to postpone his motion as Mr Bryce was absent. He Was informed that to prepare the return would require six clerks for two years.—"Mr DeLautour blamed the Government for discourtesy in not informing him of their opposition. To postpone the motion meant to shelve it.— After somebrief discussion the House divided, when the motion was thrown out by 33 to 23. „ ; ;, t ..Mr Bracken moved that in the opinion of this House it is .desirable that the Government should encourage local industries by giving preference to articles of New Zealand manufacture, required for use in the various public departments, provided that in price and quality such articles do not suffer by comparison .with the price and quality'of imported articles [of a similar character; also that the Government should encourage the development of our minetal resources "by giving , preference to coal and other minerals that i may be required in' the public service, provided the rates and quality are equal to the rates and quality of imported minerals of a like nature. —Mr Bathgate supported the motion.—Mr Holmes moved, as an amendment, to insert the »wo*ds—-" by , increased Customs duties,' lower railway freights, and construction of railways, tramways and other public works," after i the word "industries."—Mr TurnbuU said this made the motion dangerous. He opposed if.—Coloned Trimble also opi posed it.-rThe debate.was interrupted by , the usual adjournment. . V-f, ' . Mr Moss moved that the School Coniimittees' Bill be recommitted so as to f provide^that it should noilwei* Vinto operation until after the next election of Committe>B.—After disc'ussioß, the motion for re-committal was negatived on ta division by 39 "to 11.—Mr Steward then i moved its third, reading.—Mr Sheehan r strongly opposed' 1 the bift,: as destroying the only provision- which gave Roman Catholics a chance of^receiving represen-' tation on these-bodiei.* Hef moved it be read that day six jmonths. He blamed the Government for not taking a decided position on the- matter.—Mr Bollostdn thought the bill; 'if;' it did no good, would do no. harm,' But, Jie''wpu|d vote against it as an interference with tHe existing system.—Messrs Petrie and Moss opposed the bill.—Mr Steward 'said the bill would benefit, rather than injure, the Roman Catholics. —Mr Bracken opposed the bill as destroying the representation df minorities.—On a i division the third reading was* carried by 39 to 10, and the .bill passed. ; , • r ,/ „ "' Mr S«ddoQ moved the second reading of a bilt*p altolish Education.Boards,and 1 districts^JSe owt^nded tk^L the '-'educition system would work bJHer if under uniform administration. —Mr Dick characterised the bill as CentratUni, run mad," and strongly otjpesed'iti—Mr Levestain supported the bill, and;JMr T f'ish ppposed"" it, although admitting that the-present position and-the moda.^f of the Boards was far from satUfacfory." LiM4,-«-^i^day,| Mr Seddon*. was remying 'when the usual adjournment place, and pn resuming there was no quorum, and the befr failing to^ti||fr oo^JJjre House was counted oufc &$ tft*lO p.m. " ' " T