PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2619, 9 June 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

[united press association] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, June 8. ' The House met at 2.30 p.m, Mr Rolleston gave notice to move tomorrow that the exercise of tho prerogative of the disßolution under the system, of triennial parliaments i 3 fraught with great danger to the independence of Parliament, and the successful workings of representative institutions in tlxo interest of the people. . The West Coast Settlements Roserve Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. Mr Ballance said he intended to move for the recommittal of the Bill in order to insert a claiise empowering natives tliomselves to /elect native assessors on behalf of tho nafivo owners. Mr Taipua urged that the further consideration of this bill be postponed till next session, owing to the confusion that existed, and tho. trouble that had been caused by the present Government in legislating for tho Maori people. Mr Locke supported the views of the Native member in this bill, and said that at the end of a session it could not receive proper consideration. It was quite time the whole nuestion of nativo lands was taken up and put into proper form to avoid the confusion that at present exists on the subject, Mr Samuol hoped the House would net continue the opposition to this Bill, as it. was only a matter of justice to the settlers' concerned, . ■ Mr Katene aaid Mr Samuel was speaking for the benefit of the Taranaki settlers, and ho was therefore, not impartial, Ho thought it was very unlikely that those settlers would abandon their land if this Kill was postponed till next, session. If the Ministry had been forced, to resign lie (Kiiteno) might havo beciv made Native Minister himself, and then he would have brought in a better Bill than the present one.A new clause was added' to the Bill, allowing transfers on assignment of leaso3 to bo inadd with tho consent of the accessor. A further clauso was also added enabling the Public Trusfeo to -grant a leaso of 500 acres to G. S. Caverhill, of Hawera

Mr Samuel moved a new clause,, permitting a person who lias surrcqilered his lease to take up-a now lease. "Ho aaid this was a most necessary provision. Mr Ballance said this would be giving a dangerouß power, but he was willing to take tlio opinion of the Committee upon ■it.

After further discussion, Mr Ballaiico agreed to report progress to allow Mr Samuel's clause-to be considered by tho Native members; "•' '' •Mr. Wi Peru said if this-clause was passed all the Europeans would abandon their leases, in the hope of getting fresh pnes. He had no objection to this clause if the lands were dealt with by public auction. • Progress was reported on the Bill for half au hour. Sir Julius Vogel moved -.the second reading of the South Island Native Reserves Act Amendment Bill. He explained tho object of the Bill, which was to provide for the management of Native reserves in the South Island, to render more clear the regulations applying to tho leasing of. tho Groymouth reserve, to deal with the renewal of tho lease of the Motueko reserve, and to bring Jiatife reserves under the Mining Act, so as to provide for expropriation for mining purposes, Mr Pratt objected to the Bill, and presented a petition from Tenaroa against it. >' Messrs Hursthouse, Seddon, and Guineas, strongly supported the Bill, 'i lie former said Mr Pratt was not acting in tho interests of the natives ■he was sent to represent, by opposing it. Ho explained the position of the Motueka reserves at some length, and.said there was urgent necessity for tho Bill being passed. Mr Turnbull said Mr Pratt's request for postponement of the Bill was a reasonable one, and he hoped it would bo adjourned till to-morrow. Sir Julius Yogel having briefly replied, the motion for the second reading was earned by 30 to 20. Thursday, June £). In the House this morning, Sir Julius Vogel moved to have tho West Coast Settlements Reserves Bill recommitted to put in certain' provisos. Major Atkinson objected, and tho debate, which had virtually finished last night; all started again.