EOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 972, 14 September 1878, Page 2

EOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday. j The House met at 2.30. i BUSINESS. The Premier said, m reference to Major Atkinson's suggestions yesterday, that the Grovernmenfc had. no objection to sit on Monday, and to make Thursday a Grovornmch Iday, and gave notice accordingly to

formally move on the matter to-morrow. THE NATIVE LANDS JULL. Mr Sheohan, replying to a notice of mo,tiou given by Mr Sutton, said the Government intended to go on with the Native Lands Bill, and that it would be '■ m the hands of members on Tuesday ! next. J KE-ADJUBTMENT CP REI'UESENTATION. Mr Hodgkinsou moved, " That the House considered that Government should, during the session, bring m a bill for the ro-adjustment of representation m the. House, or if such bill cannot be got ready during the present session, that the Government be requested to prepare one during the recess." The Premier said it would only be necessary to say that the Government concurred with the motion, and "would, tliereforei offer no opposition. Mr McLean thought it would have bepn more becoming m the Government if the gentleman at the head of the Government had given, some little intimation to the mover as to what they intended re-garding-the measure asked for. Mr Stevens was glad that Government agreed with the principle of the resolution, but thought it a pity they were not more explicit up* on a matter of such importance, and he hoped some member of the Government would yet amplify what fell from the Premier, and let them know ■whether they could do: anything m the matter this, session. Air Gisborne hoped the Government would see ;their way to bring down a measure this session. Mr Sheehan said he thought the Premier's reply to the mover of the motion was explicit enough for all purposes. If members were not so anxious to rise at midnight, all business might be got through m four weeks. The Native Lands Bill was the only measure of importance the Government had still to introduce. Mr Wason moved, as an amendment, the omission of all words after " House" m the latter part of the motion. Mr . Feldwick moved the adjournment of the debate. The House divided, the result being — for adjournment, 48 ; against, 11. Sir 11. Douglas asked that the debate be postponed for six months, instead of a fortnight, as proposed, otherwise the country might be deceiv^ as it was quite impossible they could deal with such a measure now. Mr Sheehan hoped the hen. member would not oppose the adjournment for a fortnight. Sir JR. Douglas intimated that he would ■vrithdrUw the amendment. . ,Mr Pyke said he could not understand the attitude taken up by the Minister of Justice. Why not state to the House that the Government either did or did not intend to bring m a bill to alter the representation this session? — and, as he wished to ascertain the intention of the Government, he would himself move the adjournment of the debate to that day six months. The amendment was lost on the yoices. Thursday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. BOMAN CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS AGITATION. Mr Barton presented a petition from 306 Roman Catholics of Wellington, and 109 of Wanganui, praying for Government aid to their schools. THE LICENSING BILL. In reply to Mr "Wakefield, Hon. J. Sheehan said the Government did not intend to go on with the Licensing Bill this session. THB NATIVE MINISNER's STATEMENT. In reply to Mr Sutton, Hon. J. Sheehan said that if the House j would sit on M ondays, he would make his statement of native affairs on Monday next, and would practically move the second reading of the Native Lands Act.