YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1265, 7 August 1880, Page 3

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING.

The House resumed at 2.30 p.m. Mr J. 13. Fisher moved "That the report of the Goldiields Committee in the case of H. Rowe and others be approved of." He stated that the committee found that the petition contained unwarrantable allegations against a judicial officer which had not been supported by evidence. The committee strongly reprobated such conduct. Mr Rolleston concurred in the finding, and expressed his strong disapproval of members making the unjustifiable complaints that were from time to time made against officers of this kind. The motion was carried. The House then went into committee on the Native Lands Sales Bill. In clause 3, Mr 'Reader Wood moved "That the word 'may' be substituted for the word ' shall,' " so as to make the clause read that natives may at their own option bring their lands under the Act. Captain Russell felt convinced that the effect of the Bill would be to prevent land being sold at all. He did not think the Bill as it stood would give satisfaction, and he would therefore support the amendment. Captain Colbeck concurred. So strong did the natives feel on the subject that he felt convinced that they would be prepared to fight rather than they would submit to the measure. Mr Thomson complained that Government was throwing- an unfair responsibility on the House, in leaving such a material altering in the Bill to it. If the Government were really earnest in their purpose to pass the Bill at all, they ought to make it a Government question. Mr Sheehan was quite sure if the bill was passed as it Btood, no land would be brought under its operations, or if it did, ifc would pass ont of the hands of natives without any corresponding advantages. Sir George Grey said that when the amendment was disposed of he would move the following additions :—": — " Except as herein provided in case of native land vested it trustees." Major Te Wheoro said he would support the amendment leaving the land to be dealt with by the Native Committee. Ihe Maoris should be empowered to elect these Committees, divesting the powers they are to be allowed to exercise, despite what newspapers had said to the contrary. He denied that the native members were actuated by any factious motives. The question was then put that the clause remain part of the Bill — Ayes, 34 ; noes, 25. Sir George Grey moved an amendment, of which he gave notice that his object v/as to provide that the sale of lands would be competed for in an open market, and the natives themselves get a fair price for their land. The details of the plan would be unfolded in amendments introduced into other clauses of the Bill. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.