HOUSE OF REPERSENTATIVES. THURSDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1544, 27 May 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPERSENTATIVES. THURSDAY.

"Replying to questions it was stated :: — ■ That the Government did not intend to introduce any amendment of the Education Act this session ; that a committee would be moved for to consider the bankruptcy laws ; that the Government would make proposals during the session for the establishment of direct steam cammunication with England ; that it was intended to introduce an amendment ! to the Licensing Act. Mr Steward gave notice of a bill to amend the Gamiug and Lotteries Act. Mr McDoxald gave notice 6i a bill for the repeal of the (gaming and Lotteries Act • A number of new bills were introduced [and read a first time, and certain returns moved for, were ordered lo be supplied. On the 'motion of Sir George Grey, seconded by Major, Atkinson, it waa agreed to cable a messaage to the Queen expressive of thankfulness at her recent escape from assassination. ADDKESS-IN'-REPLV. Mr Feldwick. resumed the debate and blamed the Government for not calling J the House together sooner. , I Mr'M. W. Green 1 in a long speech criticised the policy of the Government. He blamed them for delaying the meeting of Parliament, and expressed his disapproval of the office of Premier being held by one who had been rejected by a constituency. . He warmly commended ! the native policy. , • . . \ Mr Huksthotjse defended JMr/Whitaker from the imputations castrupon ,him, and ■ reminded the House, that candidates were not often elected on -their*. merits. He also said, that in the ,elsption for Eden I Mr Whitakerhad to, contend, against one of the most complete organisations in the I colony, namely, the Grey Central Coml.mittee.',,, ' > t ..'•'"'"">■{ * Messrs Fergus, Fish, and J* C. Brown alsp- spoke. | \$ . " The address" u was' then read • and adopted. " \*- 5< The Blouse adjourn|d;a|l^,^. The Hpuse met, at^SO.'a *{,'& ' s Mr.>WraN.Wu4iiAJ«B"brdti§at l up thQ

report of the Select Committee on the Corrupt Practices Act, which will be found elsewhere. The report was adopted. Replying to questions put, it was stated : That the Government would not interfere with the Employment of Females and Others Act, 1881, in the direction of changing the half-holiday from Saturday to borne other week day ; Government had not any intention of bringing in a bill extending the piovisions of the Resident .Magistrates Evidence Act, 1879, so that it might apply to the Abolition of Imprisonment tor Debt Act of 1874. The subject might, however, be further considered in connection with the Judicature Bill. Government did not propose to alter the Land Act so as to have Waste Lands Boards elective ; m the ballot system in disposing of deferred payment lands, limited the areas to be held by one person ; if the business of the session permitted a bill would be introduced this session to extend the franchise to leaseholder ; Government will take no steps in altering or amending the Gaming and Lottedes Act this session ; the eight hour system was as far as practicable applied to lailway employees m the case of engine men it could not be strictly maintained, but endeavours would be made to maintain it as far as possible. The following bills were introduced and read a first time : To amend the Education Act, 1876 (Pyke) ; Native Reserves (Bryce) ; To enable the Otago Harbour Board to obtain further borrowing powers (Fish) ; Government Life Insurance (Atkinson) ; to repeal the Gaining and Lotteries Act, 1881 (McDonald) ; Licensing Act Amendment Bill ; Industrial Schools (Dick) ; to prevent the purchase of votes for the election of members of the House of Representatives (Grey). The Customs, Law Consolidation, and Customs Duty Consolidation Bill weie read a second time. On the motion of Major Atkinson, the motion for the election of Mr Hurst as Chairman of Committees was fuither adjourned till Tuesday. On the motion of Mr Dick a select committee was appointed to cnquiie into the operation of the bankruptcy laws, and, if thought desirable, to indicate the direction in which amendment should be made. At 3.40 the House adjourned till 7.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Buycj: moved the second reading of the West Coiist Peace Preseivation Bill. In doing so he challenged full discussion of the native policy on this bill, instead of on the Indemnity Bill, which was of only secondary importance. Sin G. Gkky interrupted, and said the West Coast Bill w as only one of attainder of two persons, and the consideration of this case by the House sitting as judge and jury .should not be affected by any other consitleuitioii. The Sim. vh.hii said nothing in objection. Mr Bkyck continued saying the whole circumstances must be taken into confeidei ation in deciding on the two cases. He intended simply to rarrate the facts not in any way to apologise for conduct which he believed had been of the greatest benefit to the colony. Unless this bill pa&sed the Government, it would not undertake to carry on the government of the oolony. He then at gieat length nairated the history of native allairs on the West Coast from 1879 to November last, and concluded after highly complimenting the volunteers for their conduct at Puiihaka by an expression of most absolute conviction that the pence of the colony would be seriously endangered if Te \\ r hiti and Tolm weie allowed to return to Panhaka. He had risked his reputation and his life in the action he had himself taken, and he had nothing to leprove himself with, or to apologise for. Sir Gi.oiuih Gri<y said Mr Bryce deserved the greatest credit for his action, tlie circumstances of gieat tiial and anxiety in which no one but those who had gone thiough a similar trial could undei - .stand. He had without bloodshed, without cruelty, without a single disci edit on the colony, averted a gieat danger and settled agi eat difficulty. He de&ei ved the passing an Indemnity Bill without a word of objection. What was objectionable in this bill was the preamble, which adjudged Te Whiti to be guilty of certain oU'encc-. The House should not constitute itself a conrt, judge, and juiy. He quite agieed that it would be dangerous to the peace of the colony to release Te Whiti and Tolni now, and there was nothing improper in Parliament enacting that they should be prevented for a time doing .so. He would like the bill altered so as to avoid finding Te Whiti guilty of any crime, but simply authorising his detention on the grounds of necessity for the piesci vation of the public peace. Mr Bk.h'Kl.v protested Against any British sub]cct being deprived of the right of trial by jury. Mr Huxc'HivsoN' agreed with Mr Blacken. [Left sitting.]

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