PARLIAMENTARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1087, 31 May 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. THUKSDAY. In the House yesterday Mr Sheohan in complimentary terms moved a resolution congratulating Sir John Hall on his Knight-hood, and expressed a hope that he might long be spared to enjoy the distinguished honor conferred on him by his sovereign, in recognition of his long and honorable public life. Mr Macandrow seconded, and Mr Montgomery supported it as did also Major Atkinson. Mr Hall in acknowledging it, expressed a hope that his public life was only interrupted not ended. In reply to questions, the Government promised to provide tor exploration of Fiord country, and intended to refer the question of preventing obstruction in the House to the standing Orders Committee. The House adjourned for a Bhort time to enable address in reply, to be presented to Governor, on resuming the employment of females Act Amendment Bill (Greenl, and a Bill to make other provision for the election ot School Committoea (Steward), introduced and read a first time.

Major Atkinson proposed Mr Hurst as Chairman of Committees, a position he was well qualified to fill, from his Auckland Provincial Council experiences and general qualifications. Mr Hall seconded him, expressing a full assurance that Mr Hurst would prove a satisfactory chairman. Mr Hurst begged that lmname might be withdrawn as he found that provincial and other jealousies still existed against, him. Major Atkinson assented with regret to the request, and substituted the name of Mr Hamliu.

Mr Fish in a lengthy speech severely blamed the Government for the vacillation and the needless delay in this matter. Their change of front was embarrassing tn the House. He thought election should not be a party matter and as'an independent member he proposed Mr Thompson as Chairman, that gentleman having had groat experience in the Olago Provincial Council, and being an old member of the House MrDeLatourseconded Mr.Tho'iiipv sou ./:-.—~»

Mr Smith ■ regretted Hhat the,'action: Government compelled him to vote against Mr Hamlin, MrJ 0, Brown supported Mr Thompson. Captain McKenzie .rojoiced that the Government, not making this a partv question, left him free to support Mr Thompson.

MrCadman, on the same grounds, was crlad he could support Mr Hamlin. Mr George Baid the question was a party one, and it was all nonsense saying it was not. He would therefore have to vote for Mr Thompson. The House divided, and Mr Hamlin was elected by 44 to 41. At the ovenint! sitting, on going into the question nf eupply, Mr_ Hamlin thanked the House for his election.

An Imprest Supply Bill for £300,000 was passed through all stages. Major Atkinson announced his intention to deliver a financial statement on Tuesday next. Mr Sheehan then resumed his debate on the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill. He warmly approved of the Native policy of Government, which, he was glad to hear, Sir John Bryoe now for the first time acknowledged was a continuation of that initiated by himself in the Grey Government, Neither tho present Government nor the Grey Government was responsible for the Native difficulty; that responsibility was vested in Sir Donald McLean in having neglected to follow up Colonel Whitmore's action in 1869, and afterwards in holding out delusive hopes to the Natives of getting back their lands, actually even paying them for some. The public safety was the fiist law, and that safety demanded that that Te Whiti should not, at present, he allowed to return to Pavihaka. This was not a party question, and he heartily supported both this and the Indemnity Bill. ; Mr Moss opposed the Bill very strongly, quoting largely from Sir William Fox's report to show how badly used the Natives had been, and that astho confiscation had now been practically abandoned Te Whiti should be tried in course of law and his guilt or innocencO'proved. Mr Montgomery spoke at length to the same effect, and strongly objected to the House stepping in to prevent Te Whiti receiving justice at the hands of a jury. To pass this Bill would be to place a blot on the history of New Zealand, which would afterwards be regarded with sorrow audßhame.

I' Te Wheoro contended for Te Whiti'B jright to a fair trial; and said Te Whiti mad been the best friend the Government |ad. IMr Stevens supported the Bill. Te Aiiti might not have deserved imprison.ljieu'i DUt certainly •' would be most dangK rnU3 to allow him to return to and might-cause a general NativeW- A ooul ' se °f foreign travel, if it c0u1311 ,8 arranged, would be the best thing for hV m i to aot " e ' Ue Native difficulty. TheVdwidualisation of title and simpiificationl of Native Land 'Court pro • ceduve was eaJiP nt ' a '' •".„ ' '■ Mr Daniel Vppoaed the Bill as contrary to the si ,irit of English law, and Captain MoKedpa, Mr Hobhs, Mr Dodson, and Mr WaW supported it. Ou the motioSn ° f Mr Hotaesthe debate was adjo*«" a > and th» Houbo roio at 12,15, 1