Parliamentary.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 975, 21 September 1878, Page 2

Parliamentary.

0' KOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. : Wednesday. The House met at 2.30. TRIENNIAL PARLIAMENTS. After some little discussion, the' bill was thrown out. The following is the division list :— • . Aveß - — Baigent, Bastings, Dignan, Feldwick, Fisher, George, Grey, Hamli», Macfarlane, Montgomery, Moss, O'Rorke, Sheehan, Stout, Swanson, Tole, Wallis, and Wood. Noes. — Atkinson, Barton, Bowen, Brandon, Brown (Tuapeka). Fox, Gibbs, Henry, Hursthouse, Kelly, McLean, Moorhouse, Morris, Pyke, Richmond, Rowe, Seymour, Sutton, Teschemaker, Thomson, Turnbull, Wakefield, Whitaker, Woolcock. Thursday, the waikato-taranaki railway. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Ormond asked the Government "Whether Rewi Maniapoto and the native owners of the lands i through which the proposed railway I from Waikato to Taranaki would run, have consented to the construction of that railway, or have undertaken to give land to provide for its construction; and if so, will the Government lay before this House the particulars of such promise or undertaking ?" Mr Sheehan, on rising, said the Government did not think it desirable to give tha House the information asked for. If they answered the question, as they might answer, he thought it would have an unfavourable effect upon the negotiations now pending, which would probably last for years to come. INCREASED MAORI REPRESENTATIVES. Mr Te Whiti asked the Native Minister, " When he would introduce a measure to increase the number of Maori representatives m the House ?" Mr Sheehan said that if the Government proposals were not accepted, they would bring m a bill to increase the nntnber of Maori representatives.

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. WELLINGTON, last night. This morning a deputation, consisting of Messrs Montgomery, Murray, Bastings, Driver, Delatour, Saunders, Macfarlaue, Oliver, Pyke, Thomson, Wakefield and H.Browne, waited on the Premier, to ascertain how far the Government will be prepared to reconsider certain portions of their proposals, and what measures they deem it absolutely necessary should bo passed through this session, and also to urge the desirability of bringing the session i to a*» early a closo us possible.

Mr Ballance and Colonel Whitmore were present with Sir George, and a long.convei-satipnal disousbi m o|pthe"^del;aiis 6fHtiKe Government rneasurps. took place. £|The expressed the perfebt willirigrfess oifethe^Government < to meet! thel|yiew , 8 > off the House as far as fchey^fpbnsistentty could with- 1 put sacrijico of prjpciples, if they ' only - knew what^their friends desired m matter of detaiJ. Ministers also desired to bring thesession to a close as soon as possible, and to postpone dealing with all matters not absolutely necessary. From ..the views-expressed on the various Government proposals by the different members present, it appeared that they were by no means agreed amongst themselves as to/the alterations which were desirable, and t at m fact, on some points, a wide diversity of opinion prevailed. This was especially the case m reference to the question of whether improvements on town properties should or should not be taken, and also as to the proposed exemption oi properties worth under £500. Some members seem m favor of taxing a certain class of country improvements, such as large houses, &o. The majority seemed to be of opinion that town improvements should be taxed, and also that the proposed minimum value of 20s. for laud was not a fair one, especially m regard to the North Island. It traanspired that the Treasurer's calcuiations of the amount the tax would yield were based on'the county valuation, irrespective of this minimum. Ministers promised to consider the propriety of altering the bill m both these respects. A pretty general opinion seemed to exist; that the Joint Stock C^mp*ny Tax Bill should be abandoned for the present" session, so that a more comprehensive measure might be introduced next session. Minis■ters promised to consider this also. The Beer Tax Bill was discussed, and the members of the deputation pledged themselves to support it generally. It seemed to be understood that the Bribery Bill, Friendly Societies Bill, Rabbit Nuisance Bill, and a few others were not to be pressed . tbiH session, if at all likely to prolong it, but it would probably be withdrawn till next year. The Native Lands Bill, Sheep Bill and others were mentioned as urgently needed measures, wliich would have to be passed. Altogether, the interview seemed to smooth away many difficulties, and to give good grounds for entertaining a hope that the session may' be brought to a close m, perhaps, another three, or, at most, four weeks. •In the House to-day, Mr Sutton asked tho Native Minister what papers he referred to on Tuesday, when he said Tof the meeting at Hikuranga : that certain proposals were made to the King and party, which proposals are virtually accepted, and are m point on the table of this House ; also, when the Government intand to lay before this House such papers as "will enable the House to understand what is the result of the several meetings with; the King natives, and whether the Government will inform the House as to the amount of money actually paid, and liabilities undertaken m lespect to those which'"are said to have resulted so satisfactorily. Mr Sheehan m reply said: 1. " The documents referred to were m print before the beginning of the session. He was under the impression they had been laid on the table of the House. He would now lay them on. 2. The papers were now being printed as quickly as possible, and related to proceedings of public meetings. It was intended to ask the House not to sanction publication of such portion of the proceedings as would affect pending negotiations, 3. It was a difficult matter to ascertain the details as to the exact amount of liabilities. All information would be furnished. Mr Gisborne asked the Natvei Minister whether he will lay before this House returns showing the locality and acreage of every block of native land proclaimed as purchased by the Crown since 1870, a general description and the quality of the laud, and the price paid by the Crown per acre for it ; also, showing the extent since sold by the Crown out of each such block, and the price per acre obtained for the laud sold. Mr Sheehan promised as far as possible to furnish the information sought. There would be some difficulty m ascertaining the particulars m detail respecting the quality of the land. There were about 300 blocks to whioh the enquiry would relate. An animated debate has been going on since an early hour this afternoon, on the Maori franchise clause of the Electoral Bill* Mr Stout proposes to give Maoris not only a qualification as ratepayers, but also as freeholders, where the land has passed through the Court, even though it is exempt from rates. This, of course, would be m addition to special native representation. The proposed amendment is very strongly resisted, but as the Government are almost iuclined to make the matter a ministerial question, the amendment will probably be uarried. The debate is likely to last, all night. There is a very strong ' fueling against the ministerial change of front on this matter. <