YESTERDAY'S SITTING. Wellington, Last Night. West Coast Settlement.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1438, 20 September 1881, Page 2

YESTERDAY'S SITTING. Wellington, Last Night. West Coast Settlement.

On the House assembling at 11 a.m., on the motion for further consideration of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill, Mr Rolle&ton, after a few preliminary remarks as to the bill, said : "Hon. members have no doubt obsened in the new spapers certain reports as to the existence of an unsatisfactory state of a Hairs on the "West Coast. The Government also have reports which cause some anxiety as to the future. They ha\e, however, every hope that persistence in the course hitherto adopted may a\ert any serious difficulty fiom arising. At the same time it is only right to say that the position is one requiring great care and circums2)ection. The Government will, however, before the House rises, affoid members an opportunity of learning all that the Government know up to the last moment. They will ask the House to entrust them with such funds as may enable ithem to deal decisively tind promptly with any contingency that may arise." Mr Turnbull considered that it was a great mistake to allow Sir F. D. Bell to leave the colony at the time he did, when the settlement of tins West Coast question had rendered it such a critical moment. Sir W. Fox: regretted the loss of his colleague on the West Coast Commission. Still he did not think that his departure from, the colony had any material affect on the settlement of the question. Mr Biown said the aspect of the affair revived the question as to how far the late Native Minister was right in asserting that more energetic steps should be adopted. Mr Hall at once said that the statement made by the Native Minister was calculated to create a feeling of alarm, which might be toned down if further information should be given. He asked him to give such a statement, if not now at all events when the proper time ai rived. Mr Sheehan blamed the Government for not bringing down such an important measiue until the latest moment. Mr Macandrew could not see the bill was forcing them into hostihtes. He thought the bill, with some amendments which he would propose in Committee, was very requisite. The question of the second reading of the West Coast Settlement Reserve Bill was then pufc and earned, and the House went into Committee on it. . ' After progress had been made it was reported and leave granted to sit again. The House adjourned at 1.20.